[ZH] Russian forces claim they have successfully destroyed an American-supplied M1 Abrams main battle tank for the first time, coming two full years into the Ukraine war, outside the captured city of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region.
The US-made advanced tank was reportedly taken out by a kamikaze drone or loitering munition launched by Russia's 15th Motorized Rifle Brigade. Russian state media accounts made the announcement Monday and published video purporting to show the destruction of the M1 Abrams main battle tank.
#1
Armor can only be successful under the umbrella of air control. It was true in WWII and it's still true today.
Posted by: ed in texas ||
02/27/2024 12:25 Comments ||
Top||
#2
Considering how long they have been used it is good that it took this long to knock one out. And it wasn't destroyed, just disabled. Track is thrown and the blowout panels are missing to the inside should still be fairly intact.
#3
One hopes a BDA (Battle Damage Assessment) can be made of the circumstances and specific tech analysis. Overhead Standoff screening panels might be a consideration give proliferation of top-attack, loitering options, but conducting ops in a permanent buttoned-up environment is a real crew-duration problem.
Worth noting, korrespondent.net has compiled its Invasion of Ukraine series into separate months, beginning May 9th, 2023. Linked in the title
[Korrespondent] 21:45 Ukraine and Norway have begun negotiations on concluding a bilateral agreement on cooperation in the field of security, the Presidential Office reported.
21:33 Germany handed over another aid package to Ukraine, the country’s government reported. It included, in particular, 14 thousand 155 mm ammunition, four WISENT mine clearing vehicles, ten Vector reconnaissance drones with spare parts, 22 anti-drone sensors and jammers, 12 Satcom satellite communication terminals, etc.
20:51 The mobilization bill is stuck in parliament. According to people's deputies, they can begin to consider it only from March 6. As expected, a lot of amendments were submitted to the bill. Read more in the material Postponement of mobilization.
20:29 Zelensky said in an interview with CNN that Syrsky is developing two scenarios for action at the front: “If we receive help from the United States, we can begin to push Russia back. If not, then we will have to focus only on defense.”
At the same time, the president added that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will not be ready for defense without American help: “People will be ready, but the ammunition will not be ready, the brigades will not be ready... Not only for our counter-offensive, they will not be ready for defense, for to stay strong. It will be very difficult."
19:50 Zelensky said in an evening video message that he took part in a special summit of leaders in Paris, which was convened by French President Emmanuel Macron. “The main topic is everything that strengthens us in Europe, our stability, capabilities: of course, our arsenals, our ability to produce weapons, arms supplies to Ukraine and continuity of support,” the head of state said.
19:43 After the Ukrainian Armed Forces leave Lastochkino near Avdeevka, the Russians are trying to storm Orlovka from three sides, said Dmitry Likhovy, spokesman for the Tavria group of troops.
19:31 Zelensky will visit Armenia and possibly Azerbaijan early next week, Radio Azatutyun reports, citing sources. According to them, Zelensky’s visit to Armenia will most likely take place on March 4. If confirmed, this will be Zelensky's first visit to the South Caucasus not only since the start of the full-scale invasion, but also since taking office in 2019.
18:55 The European Union has extended sanctions against Belarus due to its role in the war against Ukraine until the end of February 2025, the EU Council announced.
18:06 A Russian drone pursued German Foreign Minister Annalena Bärbock during a visit to Nikolaev on February 25, representatives of the German Foreign Ministry and Ministry of Defense reported. Therefore, the minister had to end his visit to Nikolaev ahead of schedule.
17:19 The Defense Procurement Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has concluded the first direct contract with a Swedish manufacturer. The MoD said that cooperation with the Swedish Defense Materials Administration allows it to accelerate the development of its own agency and carry out further procurements based on European experience. The action plan agreed upon in early February in Stockholm, in addition to the planned contracts, provides for the opportunity to join current Swedish procurement now.
17:07 Ukraine is experiencing an acute shortage of ammunition at the front. The country's leadership admits that the situation is difficult, especially due to the delay in receiving American aid due to disputes in Congress. Weapons for Ukraine are being sought all over the world. The Czech Republic can be especially successful in this. Read more in the article Shells for Ukraine.
16:41 Zelensky signed the law on demobilization of conscripts.
16:22 The head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, said that Ukraine is working to resume the work of one of the airports: “This will happen only when all security issues are resolved. We understand how powerful this will be for economic development.” However, he did not specify which airport could resume operations.
16:16 Zelensky said that Ukraine received only a third of the promised shells from the EU: “As for Europe and the percentage that you said, this is not entirely true. Of the million shells that the European Union promised us, not 50% arrived, but 30 %. Unfortunately".
The president also said that Ukraine wants to start joint production of weapons with Bulgaria: “Ukraine is very interested in joint production with Bulgaria. With other states too, but above all with those who have great potential in the defense sector. In my opinion, this will be of high quality cooperation, because Bulgaria will be able to get jobs and money into its economy. And for Ukraine, I believe, we will cover the deficit needs that we have today."
15:40 German Chancellor Olaf Scholz once again spoke out against the supply of long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine: “We should in no way be associated with the goals that this system achieves. Therefore, this is not the next option on the agenda. This clarity is also necessary. It surprises me that some people don't worry at all, they don't even think about whether what we're doing might in some sense lead to participation in war."
15:24 Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said that individual EU and NATO countries are allegedly “thinking” about sending their military to Ukraine on the basis of bilateral agreements: “The Western strategy in Ukraine has failed. But I want to be constructively prepared, despite that "that the topics we talked about are chilling. From these theses it follows that a group of NATO and EU countries are considering sending their military to Ukraine on the basis of bilateral agreements."
15:02 Putin signed a decree on the military-administrative division, according to which the annexed territories of Ukraine are included in the Southern Military District.
14:38 Ukraine and Bulgaria agreed to intensify the development of logistics and infrastructure in the region, Zelensky said following a meeting with Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov.
14:10 In the Avdeevka direction, Ukrainian troops are strengthening the defense line, organizing the defense of settlements west of Avdeevka in order to prevent further advance of the Russians and inflict maximum losses on them, Commander Tarnavsky said.
13:58 In recent weeks, Bulgaria has sold 120 thousand 122-mm Soviet-caliber artillery ammunition to Ukraine, deliveries should begin in the very near future, writes Spiegel.
13:27 Borrell said that he would invite EU member states to create an assistance fund for Ukraine to develop drones and artificial intelligence.
13:01 In Pesochin, Kharkov region, as a result of a Russian strike, a hangar with corn was completely destroyed, two more hangars in which grain was stored were damaged, said the head of the investigative department of the regional police, Sergei Bolvinov, and showed a photo. Near the hangar, the enemy attack left a crater three meters deep and six meters in diameter. Agricultural equipment was also damaged. An enterprise engaged in growing agricultural products was hit from an S-300 air defense system. As a result of another hit, a truck repair company was damaged in Pesochin.
12:55 Ukraine has caught up with Russia in terms of production of kamikaze drones similar to the Iranian Shahed, said Minister of Strategic Industries Alexander Kamyshin. “As of this year, our ability to produce such drones is no longer inferior to Russia,” he noted. In addition, according to the minister, Ukraine is achieving success in the production of other attack drones. “What is exploding in Russia is all ours,” he added.
12:49 Germany is conducting secret negotiations with India on the purchase of ammunition for Ukraine, writes Spiegel. The publication notes that the Indian government does not want to openly sell its shells, since India still maintains friendly relations with Moscow. Berlin says similar agreements are also possible with Arab countries, some of which have large reserves. According to experts, there are also states in the Balkans and Africa that still have stockpiles or can even produce ammunition.
12:16 The Armed Forces of Ukraine have withdrawn from the village of Lastochkino near Avdeevka, said the speaker of the Tavria group of troops Dmitry Likhovy: “Units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have withdrawn from the village of Lastochkino in order to organize defense along the settlements of Orlovka, Tonenkoe, Berdychi and to prevent further advance of the enemy in the western direction".
11:28 After the loss of the second A-50 aircraft, Russia in southern Ukraine is trying to replace it with reconnaissance drones, said Natalia Gumenyuk, spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces. According to her, the activity of Russian reconnaissance UAVs is now very high; over the past 24 hours, more than a hundred of them have been recorded.
11:12 In 2024, Russia plans to produce 2.7 million shells, and last year it fired about 2 million 122 mm and 152 mm shells, said Vadim Skibitsky, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine. In February, according to him, the Russians planned to launch 130 missiles of the Iskander, Caliber, Kh-101, Kh-32, and Kinzhal classes. Skibitsky noted that the Russian Federation is trying to replace foreign components with its own, and they are of worse quality. So, now the Russians are using missiles manufactured in the fourth quarter of 2023, and “we see that the missiles no longer meet the declared characteristics, their quality is deteriorating,” noted a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate.
From North Korea, according to intelligence data, the Russian Federation has already received 1.5 million 122 mm and 152 mm shells. This is 1970-80 ammo and half of it doesn't work.
10:33 Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba, in an interview with RND, called for a ban on the export of ammunition from Europe to countries other than Ukraine: “All contracts for the export of ammunition produced in Europe to third countries must be terminated, and all such ammunition must be sent to Ukraine "Every cartridge made in Europe must serve the purpose of defending Europe."
10:26 The result of the war in Ukraine “could be decided in the coming months,” and Putin could win, said the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell. “Putin and Trump have not won yet, but they can win. Europe must wake up,” the diplomat said and called on EU countries to increase and speed up assistance to Ukraine.
09:51 The Ukrainian Armed Forces will exhaust their own reserves of shells by June, and possibly earlier, writes Spiegel with reference to German intelligence services.
09:09 Prime Minister of Bulgaria Nikolai Denkov arrived in Ukraine with a delegation, BNT reports. The Bulgarian delegation also includes the ministers of defense, justice, environment and energy, deputy ministers of defense and foreign affairs.
08:57 On the evening of February 25, the Russians launched two missile attacks from the S-300 air defense system on the village of Pesochin, Kharkov region - two hangars with grain, the enterprise’s agricultural equipment were damaged, no people were injured, said Oleg Sinegubov, head of the OVA. In the village In the Chuguevsky district, two UAVs of the Shahed type hit the territory of a non-operating recreation center. In Volchansk, a hangar was damaged as a result of shelling.
08:41 The General Staff announced the estimated losses of the Russian Federation as of the morning of February 26:
personnel - about 410,700 (+880) people,
tanks - 6555 (+13),
armored combat vehicles - 12,478 (+37),
artillery systems - 9993 (+12),
MLRS - 1000 (+1),
air defense systems - 686 (+2),
aircraft - 340 (+0),
helicopters - 325 (+0),
UAV of operational-tactical level - 7707 (+26),
cruise missiles - 1910 (+3),
ships/boats - 25 (+0),
submarines - 1 (+0),
automotive equipment and tank trucks - 13,037 (+26),
special equipment - 1580 (+2).
08:28 Over the past 24 hours, 95 military clashes took place at the front, the General Staff reported in its morning report. In particular, in the Maryinsky direction, the Defense Forces repelled 40 enemy attacks (in the Novomikhailovka, Georgievka, Pobeda and Krasnohorivka districts of the Donetsk region) and another 25 attacks in the Avdeevsky direction (in the Severny, Stepnoy, Berdychi, Lastochkino and Nevelsky districts of the Donetsk region).
In addition, in the Kupyansky direction, six enemy attacks were repelled in the area of Sinkovka and Tabaevka, Kharkov region; in Limansky - five attacks in the areas of Ternov, Donetsk region and Belogorivka, Lugansk region; in Bakhmutsky - eight attacks in the Ivanovsky and Kleshcheevka districts of the Donetsk region; in Zaporozhye - six attacks in the Rabotino area and one in the Gulyai-Polye area of the Zaporozhye region. In the Kherson direction, the Defense Forces hold their positions and repelled four assaults by Russian troops on the left bank of the Dnieper.
08:06 At night, the Russians attacked the Yunakovsky community of the Sumy region with guided bombs, the OVA reported. According to preliminary information, the airstrike killed two people, destroyed one private residential building, and damaged five more.
07:54 Air defense overnight destroyed nine of the 14 Shahed-type attack drones that Russia attacked from the Kursk region, as well as all three X-59 guided missiles, the Air Force command reported. In addition, the enemy used one Iskander-M ballistic missile, two S-300 missiles and an Kh-31P anti-radar missile. Drones and missiles were destroyed within the Kharkov and Dnepropetrovsk regions.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited [KavkazUzel] Incidents of shooting at weddings occur according to tradition; this practice is not associated with a lack of preventive work by security forces, Caucasus expert Ruslan Kutaev commented on the apology of the Krasnodar man detained for the shooting. Security forces can reduce the number of such incidents by strengthening preventive work, retired Colonel of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Amir Kolov objected.
As the "Caucasian Knot" wrote, on February 25, the police released a video with an apology from a 22-year-old resident of Krasnodar, who was detained for shooting at a wedding. The young man explained his actions as an attempt to follow Caucasian customs.
The ritual of shooting at a Caucasian wedding was considered a “talisman against the evil eye,” but the ancient tradition has long turned into an element of fun and courage, Caucasian experts interviewed by the Caucasian Knot stated in 2018. “Many Caucasians have already forgotten the true meaning of shooting and shoot because it’s fun,” said, in particular, Akhmet Yarlykapov.
The persistence of the opinion that Caucasian weddings involve shooting is associated with the perception of the traditional nature of this phenomenon, says President of the Assembly of Peoples of the Caucasus Ruslan Kutaev.
“Shooting at weddings is a long-standing tradition in the Caucasus. This is how people announce the wedding and share their joy. Despite possible troubles with the law of the Russian Federation, the tradition does not cease to exist. Because of this, violations of the law are sometimes recorded,” he told a Kavkazsky correspondent node".
Although shooting is regarded as an offense, the tradition of shooting at a wedding has been preserved in the North Caucasus. In January, a seven-year-old girl was wounded in a shooting at a wedding in Karachay-Cherkessia. A resident of Rostov-on-Don, detained in connection with the incident, admitted guilt, police reported.
According to Kutaev, this is not a shortcoming of the security forces and a lack of preventive work. “This does not depend on prevention or other work. By and large, this is a challenge to the law and a kind of protest,” he noted.
Retired Interior Ministry Colonel Amir Kolov expressed a different opinion. “Of course, this requires appropriate prevention from the Department of Internal Affairs and educational work in families is even more important. In everything we must look for the meaning, the expediency of the action. If there is none, then such shooting is an ostentatious demonstration of imaginary superiority over someone, which is prohibited by customs, and religion, which established such an act as “riya” - one of the types of the sin of hypocrisy,” he told the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent.
He also does not agree that shooting at a wedding is a Caucasian tradition. “Shooting at a wedding is not a Caucasian custom. According to the legends of our ancestors, Caucasians previously shot only when a son was born, in order to convey the good news to relatives and villagers, but not at a wedding, since shooting at a wedding does not carry any semantic meaning This is a bad example, adopted from representatives of criminal structures […] in the 90s,” he emphasized.
Kolov believes that the young man’s action will most likely be regarded as hooliganism. “It can be regarded as hooliganism, a lot depends on the complaints received against him at the police department. And on whether there was a permit for this weapon,” he said.
The young man may face administrative liability, says a lawyer at the Memorial Human Rights Protection Center, who asked that his name not be published. “This may result in administrative liability. For example, previously, citizens have already been repeatedly brought to administrative liability for shooting at weddings from empty weapons under Article 20.13 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation - shooting weapons in designated areas in violation of established rules or in undesignated areas. The Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation also provides for liability for petty hooliganism,” the lawyer told the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent.
According to him, after the detainee repents, his sentence may be reduced. “According to Article 4.2 of the Administrative Code, a circumstance mitigating administrative liability is the repentance of the person who committed the administrative offense,” the lawyer noted.
Let us remember that shooting at Caucasian weddings is not a historical custom, although it is quite common, Dagestani scientist Magomedkhan Magomedkhanov pointed out to the Caucasian Knot in 2013. In Dagestan, shooting at weddings has become less frequent, this practice may completely disappear from the cities of the republic, noted the editors-in-chief of local media interviewed by the Caucasian Knot in 2018.
Article Linked To Is Available Only Via VPN
[EngMilRu] The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.
In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on clusters of manpower and military hardware of the 141st Infantry Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Peschanoe (Kharkov region).
Russian troops repelled seven attacks launched by assault groups of the 32nd mechanised and 57th motorised infantry brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine closse to Sinkovka (Kharkov region), as well as two counterattacks of the 60th Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Terny (Donetsk People's Republic).
The enemy's losses amounted to up to 145 Ukrainian troops, one tank, three motor vehicles, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, and two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems.
In Donetsk direction, the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions and defeated the units of the 28th mechanised, 92nd assault brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the 241st territorial defence brigades close to Kurdyumovka, Andreyevka, and Krasnoye (Donetsk People's Republic).
In addition, three attacks launched by assault groups of the AFU 79th Air Assault Brigade were repelled near Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic).
The enemy lost more than 420 troops, two armoured personnel carriers, four motor vehicles, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, as well as one counter-battery station.
In Avdeyevka direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces liberated the settlement of Lastochkino and continued to improve the situation along the front line.
Russian troops hit clusters of manpower and military hardware of the 144th infantry, 59th motorised infantry, 23rd mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Umanskoye, Netailovo, and Ocheretino (Donetsk People's Republic).
In addition, six counterattacks of assault groups of the 53rd, 61st mechanised, 59th motorised infantry, 3rd assault brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Severnoye, Pervomayskoye, and Petrovskoye (Donetsk People's Republic), as well as two attacks of units of the 24th mechanised and 71st jaeger brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Leninskoe and Novobakhmutovka (Donetsk People's Republic) were repelled.
The enemy lost up to 410 troops, one tank, three infantry fighting vehicles, four armoured fighting vehicles, 20 motor vehicles, as well as one D-30 howitzer.
In South Donetsk direction, the Vostok Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions and inflicted fire damage on the 128th Territorial Defence Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Vodyanoye, Urozhaynoye, and Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).
In addition, two attacks of assault groups of the 102nd Territorial Defence Brigade in vicinity of Marfopol (Zaporozhye region) were repelled.
The enemy's losses amounted to 150 troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, as well as one electronic warfare station.
In Kherson direction, the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on clusters of manpower and military hardware of the 44th airmobile and 65th mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as the 15th National Guard Brigade of Ukraine near Orekhov and Malaya Tokmachka (Zaporozhye region).
Moreover, one attack launched by an assault group of the 118th Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was repelled close to Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).
The enemy's losses amounted to 50 troops, one tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, nine motor vehicles, one D-20 howitzer, as well as one Grad MLRS vehicle.
Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have hit one Norwegian-made NASAMS launcher, AFU manpower and military hardware in 107 areas during the day.
Air defence systems shot down two Storm Shadow cruise missiles, as well as five HIMARS projectiles.
In addition, 62 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down, including those close to Novokrasnyanka, Lisichansk (Lugansk People's Republic), Kopani (Zaporozhye region) and Gladovka (Kherson region).
In total, 574 airplanes and 267 helicopters, 13,454 unmanned aerial vehicles, 474 air defence missile systems, 15,237 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,226 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,167 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 19,095 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.
Direct Translation Via Google Translate. Edited.
[NewsFront] 23:58 Official summary of the DPR Representative Office in the JCCC from 00:00 02/26/2024 to 00:00 02/27/2024.
4 facts of armed attacks by the UFU were recorded by the DPR Representative Office in the JCCC over the past 24 hours.
One civilian was reported injured
DAMAGED:
No damage to residential buildings and civil infrastructure was recorded.
One artillery attack in the Donetsk direction,
Three attacks in the Gorlovka direction.
A total of 15 units of various ammunition were produced. 23:42 SVO analyst reports: Kurakhovskoe direction.
The enemy reports that in the Novomikhailovka area things are extremely bad for him. Ours are actively pressing, the enemy garrison is actually in an operational environment.
22:53 The front-line bird is broadcasting: Dnepropetrovsk region. Repeated sound of explosion. 26.02 22:45
And again the sound of an explosion is reported in the southern part of the region in the industrial area. zones. Second time in 24 hours in this area.
Local groups report a possible ballistic missile hitting a military facility.
21:07 An infrastructure facility was damaged in the Nikopol district of the Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine, said the head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional council Nikolai Lukashuk
20:59 Three people died after an attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces - Gladkov
The Ukrainian Armed Forces used a drone to attack a car in the village of Pochaevo in the Belgorod region. As a result, three Belgorod residents were killed, and three more received shrapnel wounds.
19:53 Ukrainian Telegram channels report explosions in the Sumy region. A missile threat was issued before the explosions.
18:57 Ukrainian troops shelled Donetsk, firing three 155mm caliber rounds into the Petrovsky district, the DPR representative office at the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of Issues Related to War Crimes of Ukraine (JCCC) reported.
18:19 Sappers of the “Center” group of troops continue destruction of explosive objects in Avdeevka
Engineering reconnaissance patrols check the city streets meter by meter to ensure the safety of civilians and the unimpeded advance of Russian troops. Every day, sappers destroy from 100 to 400 bombs, mines and unexploded ordnance.
At the request of local residents, military engineers also inspected the St. Michael's Church in Avdievka. Along with the military personnel, the military clergyman of the “Center” group of troops, Priest Roman Chebonenko, was present at this exit.
17:48 Airborne units continue advance in the Artyomovsky direction
Under the cover of artillery, BMD-2K-AU crews quickly deliver assault groups directly to enemy positions, after which the fighters dismount and begin clearing out enemy strongholds.
“In two days, our units advanced a very long distance and occupied important points,” said the gunner-operator of the combat vehicle with the call sign “Zvezda.”
17:05 Avdievka direction: Assault on Orlovka and Tonenkoye
Situation as of 17:00 February 26, 2024:
The Russian Armed Forces continue to build on their success after the capture of Avdievka, advancing on several sectors of the front.
On the northern flank there are attacks on Berdychi and Semyonovka, where the presence of the enemy who retreated from Avdievka remains.
There have been no attempts to advance here yet, since Petrovskoye is located in a lowland, and the secret accumulation of forces is a difficult task.
At the same time, the RF Armed Forces, relying on Lastochkino, after airstrikes, advanced in an armored group along the O0542 highway and caught on the southern outskirts of Orlovka on Brothers Paukov Street north of Shkolny and Michurinsky-3 headquarters.
At the same time, battles are taking place on the southeastern and southern outskirts of Tonenkoye, access to which was opened after the cleansing of Severny. Russian forces are advancing from at least two directions: through the fields and plantings to the south and along the Tonkaya gully
. 16:55 At 16:10, Ukrainian troops fired at the DPR for the first time in 24 hours, firing four 152mm caliber rounds at Gorlovka, the DPR representative office at the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of Issues Related to War Crimes of Ukraine (JCCC) reported.
16:40 First destroyed Abrams. Avdeevskoe direction. The account is opened by the 15th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade.
15:35 Cleaning up the North by fighters of the 1st Slavic Brigade -video.
14:55 Personnel from the Rabotino district. The Russian Armed Forces are attacking.
13:51 Video of destruction of the launching air defense system "NASAMS" of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the village. Malyshevka (near Zaporozhye). The launch was eliminated by an Iskander missile.
13:40 It is reported that Tonenkoye is completely under the control of the Russian army. The enemy claims that our army drove the militants out of the village. At these moments the assault on Orlovka is underway.
13:28 The main thing from the new briefing of the Russian Ministry of Defense:
The Russian Armed Forces repelled three attacks by Ukrainian Armed Forces assault groups per day in the Donetsk direction, the total enemy losses here exceeded 420 military personnel;
Russian air defense systems shot down two Storm Shadow missiles and five HIMARS rounds in one day;
The Russian Armed Forces hit a Norwegian-made NASAMS air defense missile launcher;
The Russian Armed Forces repelled seven attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Sin'kovka in the Khar'kov region and two counterattacks near Tern in the DPR;
In the Avdeevsky direction, the Russian Armed Forces liberated the settlement of Lastochkino and continued to improve the situation along the front line, repelled six counterattacks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the enemy lost up to 410 troops;
The Russian Armed Forces in the South Donetsk direction occupied more advantageous lines and positions, the Armed Forces of Ukraine lost up to 150 military personnel;
More than 60 Ukrainian drones were shot down per day by Russian air defense systems;
The Ukrainian Armed Forces lost up to 145 military personnel and 7 pieces of equipment in the Kupyansk direction per day.
13:05 Avdeevskoe direction. Tonenkoye half under control of RF Armed Forces. The Ukrainian Armed Forces will most likely leave him in the near future.
In Orlovka, assault units of the Russian Armed Forces came close to Churilovskoye Lake in the east of the village. The stadium and the gymnasium building are about a kilometer away.
Behind the Armed Forces of Ukraine is the center and the square, as well as the south of the village in the area of Shkolnoye Lake and the stadium.
Reserve positions have been set up in the Zoryansky Pond area, and Russian artillery has been actively pouring into it all morning.
13:05 Ukrainian Telegram channels report explosions in Kirovograd
12:56 Aviation operates in the Donetsk direction around the clock. Air support helps our guys move forward. After Avdievka there are battles for Orlovka and Tonenkoye -video.
11:47 Assault units of the Russian Armed Forces are fighting on the outskirts of Tonenkoye and Orlovka. Ukrainian monitoring resources admit that in these settlements no defensive structures were built at all.
11:32 Massive hit for objects on the territory of Ukraine on February 26 - what is known by 11:30
For the third night in a row, Russian troops carried out massive attacks on rear targets of the so-called. Ukraine. Explosions occurred in the Kirovograd, Dnepropetrovsk, Kharkov and Sumy regions - ballistic and cruise missiles were used, as well as Geran-2 attack UAVs.
Kirovograd: at least two MiG-29 fighters were destroyed at the Kanatovo military airfield; in addition, the enemy’s 62nd arsenal (military unit A1201) north of the village was hit. Bogdanovka, where one of the Western weapons storage facilities is located - according to available information, the detonation and fire at the facility lasted throughout the night.
Dnepropetrovsk: the strike struck the territory of the Dnepropetrovsk International Airport, which is actively used by the enemy for conducting air operations and launching strikes in the eastern and southern directions - after the strike, a fire with signs of secondary detonation was observed at the facility. The building of Workshop No. 7 of the State Enterprise “Southern Machine-Building Plant named after. A.M. Makarov”, where the enemy organized a workshop for the assembly and maintenance of attack UAVs.
Kharkov: on the southwestern outskirts of the city and in Pesochin, two ammunition depots of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which were one of the logistics supply points for enemy groups in the Kupyansky and Limansky directions, were destroyed.
Sumy: clarification data has been received on yesterday's daytime defeat of Polykhim LLC in Shostka. It is reported that the object was under the close attention of the so-called special services. Ukraine and was involved in the military-industrial complex for the production of composite materials for armored vehicles and protective elements.
Occupied territory of the DPR: another object hit yesterday in Konstantinovka has been identified - the enemy’s temporary deployment point in the building of a former psychiatric hospital was destroyed, at the time of the attack there were over 50 personnel there, according to the data received, at least half of them were eliminated or received varying degrees of injuries gravity.
Strikes were also recorded at the locations where the Ukrainian Armed Forces were based in the village. Kurakhovo, Maksimilyanovka, Nikiforovka, Dzerzhinsk, Zheleznoye and Novoselovka.
11:25 Statement of Head of the press center of the Center group
Units of the Center group of troops continue to carry out combat missions in the zone of the special military operation.
During the conduct of hostilities, the group's units, supported by artillery fire and air strikes, repelled six counterattacks of the 71st Jaeger, 3rd Assault brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Krasnogorovsky sector.
In total, more than 400 identified enemy targets were defeated within 24 hours.
Enemy losses amounted to up to 100 military personnel, four armored combat vehicles, 8 vehicles, an electronic warfare station, a 122mm D-30 howitzer and a 122mm BM-21 Grad MLRS combat vehicle.
10:45 South Donetsk direction. Scouts of the 34th Motorized Rifle brigade of the 49th Army of the Southern Military District destroy the enemy’s “Baba Yaga”, and then “destroy” everything that she managed to bring -video.
10:12 At night in Ivanovsky (Krasny) our troops managed to gain a foothold on the street. Sadovaya. This is the last street of the village.
Also near Bogdanovka there is a significant advance through the forest belts, two platoon strong points have been taken.
10:05 Statement of Head of the press center of the "West" group
Units of the West group of forces continue to carry out combat missions in the Kupyansk direction.
Motorized rifle units, in cooperation with artillery, repelled four attacks by assault groups of the 32nd Mechanized and 57th Motorized Infantry brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the area of the Senkovka railway station.
During the counter-battery fight, the artillery units of the group destroyed two M777 howitzers, a US-made M198 howitzer and a 152mm D-20 howitzer.
The group's air defense systems destroyed four unmanned aerial vehicles, including two Furies, Sinitsa and Leleka-100.
Enemy losses in the Kupyansk direction amounted to up to 180 military personnel, a T-64 tank, three pickup trucks and four unmanned aerial vehicles
. 09:50 The criminal Kiev regime continues to fire at the civilian infrastructure of settlements on the left bank of the Kherson region, yesterday during the day the Ukrainian Armed Forces fired from cannon artillery:
-- n.p. Korsunka five rounds;
-- n.p. Novaya Zburevka four rounds;
-- Saga settlement three rounds;
-- n.p. Cayro four rounds;
-- n.p. Vasilyevka four rounds.
During the night, the Kiev regime continued to shell civilian infrastructure in the village. Kazachi Lagery, n.p. Korsunka, n.p. Dnepryany, n.p. Vasilievka, firing a total of 17 rounds from cannon artillery.
Civilian casualties and destruction of infrastructure are being determined.
09:47 After the loss of Avdievka, the Ukrainian Armed Forces began to use HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems in attacks on Donetsk, losing the ability to reach the city with artillery, DPR head Denis Pushilin said on the Rossiya-24 TV channel.
09:06 Ukrainian Telegram channels for the morning confirm about the advance of the RF Armed Forces towards Orlovka, Tonenkoye and Ivanovsky.
09:00 In the village of Pesochin near Kharkov at night arrived at the warehouse of the production enterprise "HASK-FLEX" rounds for MLRS were stored. Local reports indicate that a subsequent detonation occurred at the facility.
08:42 Avdeevskoe direction. Ukrainian experts admit that no defensive positions could be created after the retreat from Avdievka.
The situation of the retreating units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Tonenkoye, which is allegedly almost half controlled by the Russian Armed Forces, is assessed as critical.
08:22 Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian Armed Forces committedcrimesagainst civilians of the DPR.
So, in n.p. In Zaitsevo, a man born in 1973 was injured as a result of an explosion on the Lepestok anti-personnel mine.
In addition, Ukrainian militants carried out artillery attack during the day in the Nikitovsky district of Gorlovka, settlement. Ozeryanovka, as well as Petrovsky, Kuibyshevsky, Kirovsky and Kievsky districts of Donetsk, using MLRS and 155mm caliber artillery, including with a cluster warhead.
In addition, as a result of the artillery attack of the Kirovsky district of Donetsk, women born in 1971 received injuries of varying degrees of severity. and born in 1966
In total, 10 residential buildings, two civilian infrastructure facilities and three cars were damaged by DPR shelling, and 3 cars were destroyed.
08:14 Calculation of the Buk-M3 air defense system destroyed enemy combat drones in the Kupyansk direction.
During the combat work, the crew took a position, using a 360-degree radar station, detected approaching enemy UAVs and launched missiles to destroy them.
08:11 Destroyed technique of enemy in the area of Lastochkino in the Donetsk direction.
08:05 Motorized riflemen of the 200th Separate Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Northern Fleet, operating as part of the Southern Group of Forces, are working according to the strategy of destroying the enemy’s layered defense near Soledar -video.
08:00 Summary on the morning of February 26, 2024:
At night, the Russian Armed Forces carried out UAV and missile attacks on enemy targets in the Dnepropetrovsk, Kharkov and Sumy regions, and reported powerful arrivals in the Kupyansk area.From the Kherson direction there are reports of the arrival of special forces “Kraken”* of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine on the enemy shore. In Krynki, on our shore, the clearing of village ruins continues. Mutual strikes by artillery and drones do not stop.
In Rabotino on the Zaporozhye front there are heavy bloody battles, losses on both sides. Successful strikes by FAB with UMPC are carried out on enemy concentrations in Orekhov.
In the Kurakhovsky direction, the Russian Army knocks out the Ukrainian Armed Forces from the eastern part of Georgievka. In the Ugledar direction, our troops are expanding the zone of control near Novomikhailovka, there are battles in the village itself, and our Uragan MLRS are operating.
In the Avdeevsky direction, the Russian Armed Forces continue their offensive. The village of Lastochkino was occupied, the fighting advanced to the village. Orlovka, Severnoye and Tonenkoye. Enemy speakers express concerns about the negative development of the situation for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, since they do not have powerful defensive lines behind the Avdeevsky fortified area.
In the direction to Chasov Yar, west of Artemovsk, heavy fighting is taking place in the center of the village. Ivanovskoye (Red), the enemy reports his difficult situation and intends to retreat.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the re-establishment of the Moscow and Leningrad military districts. The decree was published on the official legal information portal.
The Leningrad Okrug included the Republic of Karelia, the Komi Republic, Arkhangelsk, Vologda, Kaliningrad, Leningrad, Murmansk, Novgorod and Pskov regions, the city of St. Petersburg, as well as the Nenets Autonomous Okrug.
Belgorod, Bryansk, Vladimir, Voronezh, Ivanovo, Kaluga, Kostroma, Kursk, Lipetsk, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Orel, Ryazan, Smolensk, Tambov, Tver, Tula and Yaroslavl regions, as well as the city of Moscow, became part of the Moscow Military District.
As Regnum reported, in December 2022, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated that due to the expansion of NATO in Russia, it is necessary to create new strategic territorial associations of the Russian Armed Forces - the Moscow and Leningrad military districts.
On June 22, 2023, he reported to the president that the Russian Armed Forces were completing the formation of the reserve army and army corps. In July 2023, the minister informed that, as part of increasing the number of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, the governing bodies of the Moscow and Leningrad military districts, a combined arms army and an army corps were being formed.
On February 23, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin and Shoigu inspected the historical headquarters building of the Moscow Military District on Kosmodamianskaya Embankment after restoration. The Moscow Military District was created on August 6, 1864. The historical headquarters building, built in 1778–1780 at the address Kosmodamianskaya embankment, building 24, building 1, is a cultural heritage site of federal significance. Its area is over 15.7 square meters. m.
From 1933 to 2010, various military departments operated in the building. At the end of the 1990s, renovation work began here, but was not completed. About two-thirds of the building has not been used for more than 10 years. Restoration began in October 2023.
Russian President Vladimir Putin included the Northern Fleet into the Leningrad Military District. The corresponding decree of the head of state was published on February 26 on the official portal of legal information.
“Establish the following military-administrative division of the Russian Federation: Leningrad Military District - within the administrative boundaries of the Republic of Karelia, the Komi Republic, the Arkhangelsk Region, the Vologda, Kaliningrad, Leningrad, Murmansk, Novgorod and Pskov Regions, St. Petersburg, the Nenets Autonomous Okrug,” - the document says.
Previously, the Northern Fleet had the status of a military district. It included the Arkhangelsk and Murmansk regions, the Nenets Autonomous Okrug and the Komi Republic.
As IA Regnum previously reported, on October 8, 2023, the Russian Ministry of Defense proposed to deprive the Northern Fleet of the status of an interspecific strategic territorial association and stop applying to it the regulations on the military district of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation of April 19, 2017.
On February 26, Putin signed a decree on the re-establishment of the Moscow and Leningrad military districts. In addition, by the same decree, the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), Lugansk People's Republic (LPR), Zaporozhye and Kherson regions were included in the Southern Military District (SMD).
Russian President Vladimir Putin included the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), Lugansk People's Republic (LPR), Zaporozhye and Kherson regions into the Southern Military District (SMD). This is stated in the corresponding decree published on the legal information website.
"Southern Military District - within the administrative boundaries of the Republic of Adygea, the Republic of Dagestan, the Donetsk People's Republic, the Republic of Ingushetia, the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, the Republic of Kalmykia, the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, the Republic of Crimea, the Lugansk People's Republic, the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, the Chechen Republic, Krasnodar and Stavropol territories, Astrakhan, Volgograd, Zaporozhye, Rostov and Kherson regions, Sevastopol,” says the text of the decree, which comes into force on March 1.
The same decree recreates the Moscow and Leningrad military districts.
As Regnum reported, last September it became known that new regions of Russia will be included in the borders of the Southern Military District from March 1, 2024.
Before this, on the updated map of military districts on the website of the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Lugansk and Donetsk people's republics, as well as the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, entered the zone of responsibility of the Southern Military District.
On September 30, 2022, in the St. George Hall of the Kremlin, agreements were signed on the admission of the DPR, LPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions to the Russian Federation and the formation of new entities. Four new regions became part of Russia as a result of referendums held there on September 23–27.
99.23% of participants voted for joining the DPR, 98.42% in the LPR, 87.05% in the Kherson region, and 93.11% in the Zaporozhye region.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] The actions of the Nazis on the territory of the Lugansk People's Republic in 1942–1943 are recognized as genocide. This decision was made by the Supreme Court of the LPR, the press service of the Russian Prosecutor General's Office reported on February 26.
The court satisfied the corresponding application of the regional prosecutor in relation to the identified crimes committed by the Nazis and their accomplices during the occupation in the territory of the former Voroshilovgrad region. The Prosecutor General of Russia Igor Krasnov instructed to prepare the application and send it to the court.
The court was presented with evidence of mass executions, torture, torture of civilians and prisoners of war, as well as the theft and destruction of material and cultural values. The Nazis applied punitive measures to civilians and captured military personnel. In particular, people were kicked out of their homes, their food, clothing and shoes were taken away, and they were used as free labor.
The occupiers destroyed collective farms, state farms, peasant households, plants and factories, mines, railway stations, schools, museums, residential buildings, and destroyed electrical networks.
About 100 thousand people became victims of the occupation regime in Voroshilovsk (now Alchevsk), Sergo (now Stakhanov), Krasny Luch, Pervomaisk, Kirovsk and Bryanka, in the Perevalsky and Popasnyansky districts from mid-July 1942 to early September 1943.
“Of these, 19.3 thousand people were shot, 7.8 thousand were subjected to torture and abuse, more than 71 thousand Soviet citizens were forcibly deported to hard labor in Germany and other European countries, many of whom died or lost contact with relatives.”, the Prosecutor General’s Office clarified.
The court agreed with the arguments of the prosecutor's office and satisfied the stated demands after considering archival documents, photos and videos, witness statements and expert opinions.
As Regnum reported, on January 27, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Nazi Germany fought with the USSR during the Great Patriotic War not because of ideology, but because of the resources and wealth of the Soviet Union.
After all, they were both expansionist, totalitarian, genocidal socialist regimes in a hurry to remake the world in their own image. It’s just that the Nazis were conquering and killing for race, while the Soviets were doing the same — in a less organized manner — putatively for the working class.
At the same time, the Nazis intended to physically destroy the majority of Soviet citizens, and the survivors were being prepared to play the role of slaves, deprived of their native culture, traditions and language, the head of state recalled.
Indeed — the race thing again. The Slavs were assumed not to belong to the Master Race. Amusingly, some Slavs now claim to belong to the white master race alongside the Aryans.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] The situation in the special operation zone after the liberation of Avdievka by Russian troops will begin to develop rapidly, writes the Croatian publication Advance.
“After the capture of Avdievka, the situation will begin to develop rapidly, and the Russian side intends to end the stagnation at the front and take all the initiative into its own hands,” the publication says.
The author of the material claims that without increased support from Western countries, the Armed Forces of Ukraine may face a series of events on the front line within a month, and it will be extremely difficult for Ukrainian troops to defend every sector along the entire front line in the fight against an army that is outnumbered.
The Croatian publication also notes that Ukraine no longer has any chance of attacking, since Russian forces remain protected by minefields and other effective barriers that they erected in 2023.
As Regnum reported, on February 17, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov reported to President Vladimir Putin about the complete completion of the operation to take Avdievka under the control of the Russian Armed Forces. The Ukrainian Armed Forces previously turned this northern suburb of Donetsk into a powerful fortified area. Since 2014, Ukrainian troops, while in Avdievka, have been shelling peaceful areas of Donetsk.
The commander of the Center group, Andrei Mordvichev, informed on February 24 that during the operation of the Russian military to liberate the city, the Ukrainian army was thrown back to a distance of more than 10 km. He noted that the Russian Armed Forces continue to conduct offensive operations in all directions.
The head of the Donetsk People's Republic Denis Pushilin announced on February 26 that Avdiivka had been completely cleared of Ukrainian troops. According to him, the city has not yet been cleared of mines. It is impossible to say that there are no dangers there; in particular, the threat of air attacks remains, he noted.
If the Armed Forces of Ukraine are unable to mobilize a significant number of citizens, then in the near future Kiev troops may lose control over large territories, including Kupyansk and Kharkov, former Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Army General Jiri Šedivý said on February 26.
The situation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is so difficult that they can hardly set the task of stopping the advance of the Russian Armed Forces; the Kiev army is only capable of slowing down this advance, Shedivy noted.
“The situation at the front (for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. - Ed.) is very difficult. The goal must be not to completely stop the Russians, but at least to slow down their advance. But I emphasize that this will be possible after a significant replenishment of personnel. If Zelensky fails, the front may begin to collapse at the end of spring,” Shedivy said in an interview with Lidovky.
Russian troops intend to break through north of Kupyansk and move towards Kharkov, Shedivy said. The Ukrainian Armed Forces may get caught in a “bag” in this part of the front, and in addition, the loss of control over part of the Kharkov region will complicate the supply of Ukrainian Armed Forces units in the southern part of the front, he emphasized.
As Regnum reported, on February 17, former deputy of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Igor Lutsenko said that after Avdievka, the Kiev regime may lose control over other cities, including Kharkov and Zaporozhye. The main reason for the constant retreats of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was the effective use of guided aerial bombs by the Russian Armed Forces, Lutsenko suggested.
On February 3, observers of the American magazine Forbes, citing sources in the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, noted: the command of the Kiev army expects that the Russian Armed Forces will launch a large-scale offensive in the Kharkov region in March 2024. According to these data, the Russian Armed Forces prepared 500 tanks, hundreds of howitzers in the Kupyansk direction and formed a group of 40 thousand military personnel for the attack, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine allegedly have an acute shortage of shells.
The head of the Kiev regime, Vladimir Zelensky, commenting on the liberation of Avdievka by Russian troops, previously stated that the retreat of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was allegedly a consequence of a shortage of weapons, and concluded from this that the responsibility for the surrender of the city does not lie with Kiev.
#1
Cooler heads rule in Russia. Aggressive attrition has worked well so far. This is a large territory to cover. No need to overextend themselves. Complete and total Ukrainian surrender is the ultimate goal. Why allow a festering sore to develop for future problems.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Valery Gerasimov visited the command post of the 58th Army of the Southern Military District in the zone of the special military operation. This was reported on February 26 by the press service of the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The Chief of the General Staff heard a report from the army commander on the situation in the area of responsibility and further actions of the association, and also awarded distinguished servicemen. He presented the Order of Courage, medals “For Courage” and “For Bravery” and thanked the soldiers for the courage and heroism shown during the hostilities.
During the award ceremony, he emphasized that the 58th Army had never failed either in battles in the North Caucasus or during a special operation. He thanked the fighters and wished them success in the battles.
As Regnum reported, on February 25, the chief of staff of the Center group of the Russian Armed Forces, Denis Lyamin, presented the Order of Courage, medals “For Courage” and insignia of the Order of St. George to the soldiers who participated in the liberation of Avdievka (DPR). He wished the military personnel success in their military work, as well as patience, will, fortitude and health both to the military personnel themselves and their families.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on February 24, during a visit to the headquarters of the Center group, awarded distinguished commanders with personalized weapons. The minister also spoke with the military personnel and thanked them for their exemplary performance of combat missions.
On February 23, at the headquarters of the joint group of troops of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Shoigu presented state awards to the participants of the Northern Military District. After the ceremony, Shoigu and Gerasimov congratulated the participants of the special operation on Defender of the Fatherland Day. They thanked the military personnel for their conscientious service.
Russian Ground Forces have made Advances, many Significant, across almost every Front in Eastern and Southern Ukraine within the last few days. https://t.co/oK0NaTvFpU
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
[KavkazUzel] Incidents of shooting at weddings occur according to tradition; this practice is not associated with a lack of preventive work by security forces, Caucasus expert Ruslan Kutaev commented on the apology of the Krasnodar man detained for the shooting. Security forces can reduce the number of such incidents by strengthening preventive work, retired Colonel of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Amir Kolov objected.
