Forum menu
Ukraine struck a Russian RSP-6M2 radar system at the Kirovskoye Airfield in occupied Crimea in the early hours of Saturday. Air defence and surveillance systems have been taking a beating around Crimea in the last few weeks 🤔
“In order to reduce the enemy’s offensive capabilities, the RSP-6M2 radar system was recently hit in the Krasnosilske area, which is in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukrainian Crimea,” the update says.
“The RSP-6M2 is designed to regulate aircraft movement, in particular for their precise approach to landing in conditions of poor visibility.”"Between late November and early December, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) also said it struck eight targets in occupied Crimea, which included a Su-24 fighter-bomber, a domed radar antenna, a Kasta-2E2 (39N6E) Flatface-E target acquisition radar, a Kronshtadt Orion drone, two Podlet K1 (48Ya6-K1) mobile phased-array low-altitude tracking radars linked to S-300 and S-400 air-defense systems, a military cargo train, and a Ural 6×6 logistics truck." https://www.kyivpost.com/post/66645
President Putin is massively talking up Russian gains in Ukraine. He seems to be alone in this with his own military and milbloggers watering some claims down
"Even Russian milbloggers’ claimed advances do not support many of Putin’s claims, with milbloggers claiming that Russian forces have seized a maximum of about seven percent of Lyman and 11 percent of Kostyantynivka. Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets further reported on December 18 that Russian forces are currently struggling to completely push Ukrainian forces out of southern Vovchansk."
"Putin, however, claimed that Ukrainian attempts to retake lost positions in Kupyansk have been unsuccessful and resulted in heavy losses. Putin claimed that these unsuccessful efforts should “encourage” Ukraine to end the war peacefully as Ukraine has “practically” no forces left to commit to the Kupyansk effort. Putin’s statements are the latest in the Kremlin’s ongoing cognitive warfare effort that aims to paint Ukrainian defenses as on the brink of collapse and a Russian victory as inevitable." https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-19-2025/
Always a possibility it's not Putin talking them up, but whoever is reporting them to Putin.
Steve Rosenberg: Asking the difficult questions. Huge respect for his reporting. I't can't be easy to keep the BBC front and centre in russia.
https://bbc.com/news/articles/c5y9ed5d1r4o
Russia's leader told our Russia editor that claims an attack on Europe was planned, were 'rubbish'
Hmm, now where and when have I heard that before? (Im not taking anything away from Rosenberg at all, just highly sceptical about Putin pronouncement)
Bloomberg reports that Pacific Investment Management Co and Witkoff Group defaulted on a $400 million LA apartment complex deal in July.
It's now accruing interest leading to the court filing.
Always a possibility it's not Putin talking them up, but whoever is reporting them to Putin.
It seems to be a bit six-of-one and half-a-dozen of the other. It's all grist to the reflexive control mill,
"False reports are likely shaping Russian President Vladimir Putin’s understanding of the battlefield situation. The Financial Times (FT) reported on December 22 that two unspecified officials stated that Russian military and security authorities regularly give Putin updates that inflate Ukrainian battlefield casualties, highlight Russia’s resource advantages, and downplay tactical failures."
"FT stated that the sources noted that Putin regularly meets with “confidants” who tell him that the war has become a “growing drag” on the Russian economy, however. The Washington Post reported on December 22 that a Russian official stated that a banking or non-payments crisis in Russia is possible and that they do not “want to think about a continuation of the war or an escalation.”"
"Putin notably presented even more exaggerated claims of battlefield successes on December 19 than either Belousov or Gerasimov did, suggesting that Putin himself is exaggerating the already inflated battlefield reports he receives as part of this cognitive warfare effort." https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-22-2025/
Ukraine's forces have officially withdrawn from Siversk in the Donetsk region of the Donbas.
Current conditions there are making drone surveillance and attacks difficult, while Russia is continuing to pressure the defenders
The loss of Siversk isn't making itself felt, yet, but Ukraine needs to keep the pressure on Russian forces there to prevent an advance towards the so-called "fortress belt" and Sloviansk. For context Siversk had a pre-war population around 1/10 of that of Sloviansk
Sloviansk would give Russian forces a road and rail network that could be exploited and is a logistics hub for Ukraine's forces. The major road through Sloviansk runs north-west from the Russian border to Kyiv, while the smaller Highway 20 links the cities and towns of the fortress belt, with Sloviansk at its northern end.
The aim must be to keep Russian forces away from the fortress belt for as long as possible to maintain maximum logistical support. On the positive side, Russian forces haven't shown the ability to take and hold a well-defended larger city like this
Hulyaipole is unfortunately looking likely to be the next candidate for a withdrawal by Ukraine's forces.
It won't happen in the next few days but on current form is likely to be several weeks down the line
Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Pokrovsk. Russian forces recently advanced near Hulyaipole.
https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-24-2025/
Serious concerns about Kupyansk were about six months in the making, beginning with Ukraine's military chiefs paying too little heed to a Russian bridgehead that was allowed to form. The pivot by Russia towards Pokrovsk was helpful to the situation in Kupyansk at what was by then a late stage.
I think that Hulyaipole is now at a late stage, although a change in the weather to allow drone operations will be helpful to the defenders. Reinforcements from the Sumy area have already been deployed
"Hulyaipole is located approximately 87 km (54 miles) east of Zaporizhzhia. Analysts previously warned that the fall of Hulyaipole could pave the way for Russian advances towards Zaporizhzhia, the regional capital."
"He said “very fierce fighting” is ongoing near the settlements of Dobropillya, Pryluky, and Varvarivka as Russian troops attempt to approach and enter these settlements along the *Pokrovske*-Hulyaipole route, which supplies the city."
"Earlier reports suggest that Russia captured nearby settlements under the cover of fog, while some analysts criticized the slow Ukrainian response, claiming it allowed Russian forces to probe weak points and advance.
Previously, military analyst Denys Popovych told Kyiv24 that if Hulyaipole were to fall, Zaporizhzhia itself and Orikhiv, another stronghold on the front, would be next."
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/66921
*Not Pokrovsk^^, but PokrovskE, in a different region
The other point to consider about all of these towns and cities is for the future, after this war is over.
If land is lost to Russia under de-facto agreement then Pokrovsk, for example, has higher ground that would give a military advantage to whoever controls it. It's also a coal-mining and coking centre that supplies much of Ukraine's steel industry.
This is one reason (amongst many) for Ukraine to keep the front lines as static as possible (and ideally advance) in the event of everything being frozen in place
Ukraine's drones didn't bounce off the rubber factory,
“In the city of Yefremov, Tula region, the facilities of the ‘Yefremov Synthetic Rubber Plant,’ which specializes in the production of components for plastic explosives and solid rocket fuel, were hit. Explosions and a large-scale fire were recorded on the production site,” the update says.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/66835
This could be misinformation intended as another wedge between the US and Europe, but it's equally likely to be true and is part of the largely discredited early 28-point peace plan (my bracketed comment)
"Speaking at the meeting with major business figures on Wednesday, Dec. 24, Putin said that Washington is interested in using the (Zaporizhzhia nuclear power) plant’s electricity for cryptocurrency mining, while also pushing to supply power to Ukraine, Kommersant reported."
"Zelensky said the US had proposed a three-party management system for the plant with Washington in the lead, while Ukraine wants to exclude Russia and operate the facility on equal footing with the US. The plan also envisions freezing the front line in Zaporizhzhia, meaning the ZNPP would remain under Russian military control if peace is signed."
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/66961
The Russian shadow fleet is becoming less shadowy
Flag-hopping shadow fleet starts to settle in Russia
- Shadow fleet ships are ending flag hopping in favour of direct Russian registration
- Russia’s ship register has increased in size by 40% since the invasion of Ukraine
- Shift towards Russia’s flag comes as EU is adding pressure on ship registers and seeking to board vessels
https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1155952/Flag-hopping-shadow-fleet-starts-to-settle-in-Russia
That'll have to do. The editing function on here is starting to pee me off!
I just want to thank the knowledgeable contributors to this thread. I read it almost everyday.
I know it's uikely there will be an end to the war on terms that are acceptable to Ukraine or Russia & Putin facing any real consequence after, but you can hope.
Ukraine's forces have officially withdrawn from Siversk in the Donetsk region of the Donbas.
Current conditions there are making drone surveillance and attacks difficult, while Russia is continuing to pressure the defenders
It seems that some of Ukraine's senior officers suffer from the same need to falsify reports as their Russian counterparts.
Colonel Oleksii Konoval and Colonel Volodymyr Potieshkin have been relieved of their commands after the withdrawal from Siversk. The 11th Army Corps, under Brigadier General Serhii Sirchenko, has been relieved of its command in the area.
Ukrainska Pravda learned that the dismissals are linked to alleged falsification of reports by both brigades' leadership. The brigades reported that they held positions in their areas of responsibility, but in reality those positions had long remained without personnel. The alleged falsehood became apparent during the swift loss of the city. Russia said that it had seized Siversk on 12 December 2025.
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/12/27/8013612/
Speaking of which, over the last couple of days Russia has been claiming that it has retaken Kupyansk from Ukraine.
Strangely, none of the reports are geo-located and coincidentally President Zelensky is meeting with President Trump today, who of course favours a strong leader
The Russian MoD, Kremlin officials, and Russian state media appear to be engaged in a whole-of-government effort to cover up battlefield failures in Kupyansk and to address widespread milblogger and ultranationalists’ criticism of the Kremlin’s false reports.
There is ample evidence to indicate that Ukrainian forces have liberated most of Kupyansk, however. https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-27-2025/
The latest press briefing after Zelensky and Trump met was quite telling. Both by what was said and the body language of Zelensky hearing Trump so obviously side with Russia.
I understand that at this moment in time Ukraine and all Europe are too reliant on the USA to totally exclude them .. but, agreeing to Putin and Trumps terms are going to be horrendous for Ukraine and probably financial suicide for European countries too.
It seems likely that Ukraine withdrew a proportion of its forces from Myrnohrad over Christmas.
Logistics and troop rotations were becoming more difficult, however, this isn't a full withdrawal and Ukraine still has forces both there and in Pokrovsk.
Assessed Russian advances: ISW has not observed evidence in the past few weeks that would indicate that Ukrainian forces continue to maintain defensive positions south of and in southern Myrnohrad, and available visual evidence and combat footage collected in December 2025 suggests that the FEBA is north of the railway between Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, indicating that Russian forces advanced south of and in southern Myrnohrad. This change did not occur in the past 24 hours but is a reflection of ISW’s updated assessment. https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-28-2025/
The withdrawal was clearly conducted in a disciplined way because Russian sources haven't talked it up with video of casualties and it also places doubt on Russia's claims to have encircled Myrnohrad since November. That claim was contradicted on December 9th by Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi,
He added that the neighboring city of Myrnohrad is not surrounded, though logistics have become more difficult.
Earlier this week, Ukraine's Air Assault Forces said on Dec. 5 that neither Pokrovsk nor Myrnohrad is encircled, countering Russian claims that Pokrovsk had been captured. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-regains-part-of-pokrovsk-syrskyi-says/
Russia is continuing to claim that various settlements have fallen, despite evidence to the contrary. These include: Myrnohrad, Rodynske, Vilne, Hulyaipole and Kupyansk
The Kremlin likely timed the meeting to fall on the eve of the December 28 meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Florida in order to influence the US-Ukrainian meeting. Putin, Russian Chief of the General Staff Army General Valery Gerasimov, and the GoF commanders made a series of likely exaggerated claims about Russian successes across the battlefield. https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-28-2025/
Few of these settlements have massive operational value to Russia but there's clearly a PR value. Ukraine is defending hard to gain time to develop existing permanent defences now that Russia's plan is more obvious and before the "fortress belt" and the larger cities are reached.
As things currently stand it will continue to be a war of attrition until either economies, weapons or personnel issues force a change.
External influence is a massive factor in two out of those three, e.g. the EU €90bn should keep Ukraine going well into 2027. Without that Ukraine would have run out of money within the next six months, however, the IMF reckons that "The program is expected to catalyze large-scale external support to close Ukraine’s financing gaps. In the baseline, the total financing gap is calculated at around US$136.5 billion for 2026-29" so there will be more EU wrangling ahead if the invasion continues into 2028-29, which will mostly be within President Trump's current term.
Watch Zelensky's face and body language when the deluded tangerine chimp talks of Russia wanting Ukraine to succeed and Putin's generosity. He has the restraint and patience of a saint to have to listen to this garbage without openly laughing in Trump's face.
On the mark as ever from the Marsh family
He has the restraint and patience of a saint to have to listen to this garbage without openly laughing in Trump's face.
Too much to loose unfortunately, as have most politicians who stand next to him on a podium and he definitely doesn't need to get into a public slanging match again. Would be glorious to see someone who genuinely doesn't give a shit share a press conference with Trump.
"No. I'm sorry Donald you ****ing moron, you're being played and couldn't grasp a good deal with your tiny hands if it was glued to Milania's tits."
The negotiation will Not succeed because Zelensky's cannot afford to agree to any terms table by Russia vice versa.
If Zelensky accept Russian's term, he will be in grave danger from his own backers (not necessarily the population but the hardcore few that swell his ranking i.e. their extreme right).
Trump does not want to get involve because economically it does not pay, and Trump wants UK and EU to foot the bill themselves. Trump only want to sell "products" and earn profit. No profit means not economically viable.
Domestically, Trump needs to make sure US economy is sound, which it is not at the moment. No soy beans sell, rare earth shortage etc, no further investment in aircraft carriers with only minimal (2) shipyards ready only etc etc.
The only way out for Zelensky is to maintain the status quo and to continue some form of reliance on UK/EU funding to "buy" arms from US, and to prolong the war in the hope that the next US administration will come to his aid.
The war will drag on until such time as UK/EU or even USA can no longer see a way out (not economically viable) by abandoning Ukraine. Depending on the severity Trump may/may not be in office by that time. Then there is a greater risk of triggering some form of nuclear wars when the next person takes over the administration, and in desperation takes a pre-emptive strike on Russia (because that's the only way to "win").
In the Pacific, Japan is trolling China and is trying to drag US into some form of involvement. i.e. Japan is trying to regain their full war like status, while Trump knew exactly that Japan is a poison chalice yet can do some leg works to "disrupt" China's progression economically.
Therefore, the war in Ukraine will not end any day soon. Not even half way there yet.
Therefore, the war in Ukraine will not end any day soon.
Whilst I don't agree with your reasoning, I do agree with that conclusion. Putin is a busted flush once the war stops, and he knows it. He has no desire whatsoever to end it. If he did, the military spending which is artificially keeping wages high and their fragile economy afloat will stop, causing huge economic problems.
There will be a day of reckoning for the huge loss of Russian lives and the population will no longer have the war to divert their gaze from all the many issues which they are facing. Putin will be expected to fix them but will have few levers to pull to address them. Without the war, Putin is finished. He's terrified of it ending.
Zelensky cannot accept giving huge chunks of territory to Russia after the heroic effort to defend them. He cannot accept a peace which would allow Russia to come back for another go in the near future. He cannot accept weak security guarantees after their betrayal with the Budapest memorandum.
The US is becoming (by choice) irrelevant. Europe needs to hold fast and continue to fully support Ukraine. It's a war of attrition and Ukraine, with defenders advantage is exacting an unsustainable cost from Russia. And whilst so doing are giving the rest of Europe time to prepare for the next stage of Putin's imperial project. We owe them a huge debt.
IIRC, a few folk suggested Ukraine at the time. Reading this I would suggest many people might want to stop this ship and it's cargo...
#CannotTrustRussia
🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
I think I am see desperation now? Are we seeing the modern day buccaneers in South America disrupting the supply chain?
Putin is a busted flush once the war stops, and he knows it. He has no desire whatsoever to end it. If he did, the military spending which is artificially keeping wages high and their fragile economy afloat will stop, causing huge economic problems.
No, there is no logic in stopping when winning. Just keep pressing until one surrenders or take terms.
There will be a day of reckoning for the huge loss of Russian lives and the population will no longer have the war to divert their gaze from all the many issues which they are facing. Putin will be expected to fix them but will have few levers to pull to address them. Without the war, Putin is finished. He's terrified of it ending
This is not just Russia. Ukraine will realise that first while UK/EU later when they participate fully in the war.
Zelensky cannot accept giving huge chunks of territory to Russia after the heroic effort to defend them. He cannot accept a peace which would allow Russia to come back for another go in the near future. He cannot accept weak security guarantees after their betrayal with the Budapest memorandum.
He has no cards.
The US is becoming (by choice) irrelevant. Europe needs to hold fast and continue to fully support Ukraine. It's a war of attrition and Ukraine, with defenders advantage is exacting an unsustainable cost from Russia. And whilst so doing are giving the rest of Europe time to prepare for the next stage of Putin's imperial project. We owe them a huge debt.
US will always be relevant to Europe, but not the other way round. Europe is just a tool for US. We only have to look at how the European leaders submit to US President. Ukraine can defend as much as they wish but they know exactly well Russia has so far only despatched their expeditionary force. The main Russian force is actually anticipating (waiting) European participation. Therefore, early or late European participation makes no difference at all. Ukraine is currently owing many people and even it will take them several generations to pay off their debts. US/UK/EU/NATO etc can send in all the crack troops etc but the bottom line is that this is not a war of yesteryear, but an unknown warfare that involving drones (plenty of it too), which many on the both sides will perish. I can imagine all the crack troops moving forward the front line but the "Predator like drones with their heat sensor sees them all like sitting ducks".
just watched the trump/netanyahu press conference on al jazerra, what a pair of absolute ****ers, I so ****ing hope the pair of these ****s have a horrible and painful/prolonged death
they know exactly well Russia has so far only despatched their expeditionary force. The main Russian force is actually anticipating (waiting)
Bollocks. They've resorted to emptying their jails, using pressed North Koreans and conning the poor of Africa and India to die for them in meat attacks. Scraping the bottom of the barrel. Virtually all their armour is destroyed and a big chunk of their navy gone too.
I'd love to address all your other points one by one, but I'm out for the night at a pantomime with Mrs Bloke. So you crack on!
And the Armata (Russian wunder tank - that’s actually a POS) will be along soon - honest governor 🤣🤣🤣
Looks like it’s a rolling collapse in the North, Ukraine advancing too fast and with Russia unable to form a defensive live to stabilise the situation.
Assuming this continues and the bulk of the Northern Luhansk area is retaken, what are Ukraines next moves?
“Armchair General” time
Roll up the remainder of forces north of the Dnipro river and retake Kherson.
Move these forces round to Zaporisia and strike down to Melitopol, severing the Russian territory in two. Destroy Kerch bridge. The Russians in Kherson are cut off from resupply.Strike down to Mariupol splitting the Russian territory into three. All Russians west of Mariupol are now cut of from resupply.
Then squeeze.
How did that work out?
More
from our resident troll
It's a sad state of affairs in a thread when it's actually chewy that makes most sense !!
How did that work out?
I don't know who you're quoting, but there's a huge back catalogue of bad takes on this thread. Do all your posts hold up to scrutiny? I doubt mine do!
It's the interval btw! 😊
Are you smoking what chewy is smoking?
Are you smoking what chewy is smoking?
I know I am smoking German duty free Pueblo tobacco 😀
Are you guys smoking some seriously weird stuff? 😆
I am. But even I can see you're a massive lettuce
Well this has taken an unexpected turn! Perhaps if your aunt sent some of that to Trump and Putin, it might help?
#somafunksaunt #nobelpeaceprize
Chewk - I wish you’d **** off from this thread.
Timba does a good job here without your inane ramblings getting in the way of good info.
So Russia now lie about an attack on Putins residence?
An excuse to do a retaliation in the next few hours on a high profile target?
It's a sad state of affairs in a thread when it's actually chewy that makes most sense !!
Chewk stated some obvious things such as USA merely using Europe for it's own purposes, and Russia not fighting Ukraine on their own .. it common knowledge North Korea are there too, that Iran provided lots drones early on and China are doing so en mass since.
But this comment..
Ukraine can defend as much as they wish but they know exactly well Russia has so far only despatched their expeditionary force.
Chewk lost the plot here. No matter how cold and focussed Putin is, the deaths and casualties are too big to even consider.
I don't know who you're quoting, but there's a huge back catalogue of bad takes on this thread
Well indeed, so it’s a bit disappointing that futon chose to launch a missile attack on chewy rather than acknowledging his own less than stellar record of analysis (an example of which I quoted).
Timba does a good job here without your inane ramblings getting in the way of good info.
Or you could say that it’s a good idea to keep in mind the overall picture, which is that Russia is a huge country with massive resources, and not get trapped in the weeds looking at Boys Own style minutiae. Or maybe there’s room for both?
If you actually read my quote, I qualified it with this “ Assuming this continues and the bulk of the Northern Luhansk area is retaken, what are Ukraines next moves?”
Which Ukraine didn’t achieve.
Also Ukraine DID try to achieve what I suggested with their offensive, a push through to Mariupol, which unfortunately failed. The fact that Ukraine tried my suggestion validates my post.
I’ve made a few posts where the YouTube channel has been a bit premature in their info and turned out to be wrong, I posted it too quickly, my bad. I’m sure you can waste your time and dig them up if you want to, it’s your life.
What I don’t do is bombard this thread with utter BS.