Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[Regnum] A rowdy bear ate several heads of cattle in a village in the Kemerovo Region over the course of two weeks. Local residents reported this on August 9.
They complained that the bear was attacking cows and trampling vegetable gardens. In two weeks, it had eaten two sheep and killed two calves. As a result, residents were forced to guard the animals around the clock.
The victims told REN TV that the hunters had been given permission to shoot the animal, but this had not yet happened.
Earlier, a mother bear and her cubs caused a commotion in the town of Ivdel in the Sverdlovsk region. She had come from the forest with her cubs into the town. However, the animal was frightened by the large number of cars, people, and lights. The bear raced through the streets, startling passersby, before dashing back into the thicket. No one was injured.
Previously, a bear had approached a rural school in the Achinsky District of Krasnoyarsk Krai. To drive the predator away, a local police officer had to use his service weapon. No residents of the village were injured in the incident.
Shrinking human population in Southwest Siberia leaving room for the wildlife population to expand?
[FoxNews] Draganfly CEO Cameron Chell says taking out one key engineer can set a drone weapons program back significantly.
A dangerous new front is emerging in the Russia-Ukraine war as attackers and alleged intelligence operatives increasingly target executives and engineers developing the cutting-edge drone technology that is reshaping the battlefield, industry experts warned Sunday.
The attacks include an Aug. 4 car bombing near Yekaterinburg that critically injured Vladimir Tkachuk, head of Russian drone manufacturer Uraldronzavod, and killed his driver, according to Russian state news agency TASS, The Associated Press reported.
His company produces the "Upyr," or "Ghoul," a first-person-view attack drone used by Russian forces in Ukraine.
Days earlier, Andrei Cherezov, head of another Russian drone company, was shot three times in Tula overnight July 28-29 in an apparent assassination attempt, according to Ukrainian outlet Pravda. Authorities have not publicly attributed either attack to Ukraine.
Draganfly CEO Cameron Chell told Fox News Digital that the rise in attacks comes as Russia and Ukraine race for an edge in drone warfare, making the relatively small number of people responsible for developing new technology increasingly important targets.
"When you can't take out all the distributed infrastructure, drone manufacturing leadership becomes the primary target," Chell said.
"These strikes in Russia and Ukraine and Germany on founders, leaders, engineers of defense and, in particular, drone-type companies are down to drones and these companies having such an impact themselves."
"Because drone technology evolves rapidly — often with significant iterations occurring every 10 to 30 days — targeting a key engineer, founder, or product lead creates immediate operational disruptions on the battlefield."
"Taking out a particular engineer or taking out a particular leader can set a very important weapons program back quite some time and disrupt shipments to the front line," Chell added.
German authorities have also arrested two suspected operatives accused of spying on a Bavarian drone manufacturer for Russian intelligence, while reports this month said the alleged operation included preparations to target company executive Stefan Thumann, according to Germany’s Die Zeit.
The case follows a reported 2024 plot disrupted by U.S. and German intelligence to target Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger.
Chell said as Ukraine and Russia push toward artificial intelligence and autonomous weapons systems, engineers developing those technologies are more strategically important.
"What we see in the Ukraine-Russia conflict is nobody in the loop — total autonomy is the direction things are going because it moves with more speed and precision," Chell said.
"AI and total autonomy are the big innovations for the next 18 months, so a potential reason we could see more targeted activity against leaders is because Ukrainians have that technology advantage."
"Targeting small drone companies is a relatively easy operation compared to targeting individuals in state-run weapons programs," he said.
"It is a fairly inexpensive, low-risk tactic for intelligence agencies that yields an immediate impact on the battlefield, and that's why we've seen this tactic."
"It is a very interesting turn or tactic that's being played by both sides here."
Chell highlighted how Russia and Ukraine approach such plots differently.
"I wouldn't suggest one side has an advantage over the other in terms of tactics, but psychologically, it has a deeper effect on the Russian side," Chell said.
"The volume of drone advantage will remain with the Russians for the foreseeable future, but the innovation of drones, tactics, and technology lies with the Ukrainians right now."
"Ukraine faces an existential threat, so they are ready for anything. Their tactics tend to be much more blunt — a direct shooter in a hallway or a car bomb," he added.
"The Russian tactics tend to be much more state-organized, using old Cold War tactics: low-level contacts, extensive intelligence and surveillance ahead of time, and inserting into other countries like Germany," he said.
"The Russians have a long-standing, well-established intelligence infrastructure dating back to World War II and the Cold War."
As the drone manufacturing industry takes greater precautions, Chell maintained that threats against companies and individuals in the defense supply chain are receiving increased scrutiny.
"We are very cognizant of it, and we're in contact with the proper authorities to make sure we're taking precautions on both a cyber and physical level to ensure we're at less risk," he said.
"We certainly don't take anything for granted."
"There are training and programs in place to ensure executives have a level of safety, primarily around awareness, cybersecurity, and physical location protection," Chell added before stating that the attacks and attempted assassinations have "heightened the conversation around it."
"We as an industry are taking it with a measured amount more seriously," he said.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[Korrespondent] 22.34 At the beginning of the battle, 213 military operations were launched at the front, while on the Limansky direct, Russian fire fighters launched 27 attacks, on Kostyantynivsky - 24.
22.10 Number of casualties The legacy of Russian shelling in the Odessa region has grown to 13. Currently, six victims are in a hospital hospital, one is in an important station, and another five are in a station of medium importance. Other victims will receive additional care on an outpatient basis.
21.31 President Volodymyr Zelensky announced new contacts with mediators in the peace process, as well as new negotiations for packages for PPO.
“In the future there will be new contacts between us and the mediators, and on such terms and these propositions as are necessary. Ukraine will always be active in diplomacy. There will be new contacts for the sake of packages for PPO - for the protection of our state, our people,” he said head of state.
21.17 The war is raging through Russia and it will not end. Ukraine is susceptible to the Russian blow. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated this.
"Talking to the head of the Drapatim - according to the protection of our places, according to our views of Russia. It is entirely fair to say that our response to a Russian blow will be our response. The Russian war will be more and more likely for them home, in Russia,” said the head of state.
According to Zelensky, Ukraine will continue to launch attacks on the Russian naphtha refinery, while protecting Russian anti-aircraft missile systems and radar stations, as well as Russian facilities infrastructure in the Azov and Black Sea regions.
“The only reason why we are still worried is that it is not necessary for Russia to end the war,” the president said.
20.57 The Ambassador of Ukraine to Bulgaria Olesya Ilashchuk was called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs near Sofia due to an incident with a drone, which became the 8th sickle. Zustrich will arrive on Monday, the 10th of September, while the diplomat will be staying outside Bulgaria.
Bulgarian President Ilyana Yotova said that she was relying on intelligence services to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In these words, it is necessary to “ascertain as reliably as possible what the drone itself is” that hovered near Kardam. The Chief of the General Staff of Bulgaria encourages connections with Ukrainian and Romanian partners.
“We are as committed as possible to ensuring that the investigation is comprehensive,” said the Bulgarian president.
Recently, Yotova spoke about the need to strengthen Bulgaria’s capabilities in combating drones and supporting the development of drones and anti-drone systems.
19.55 Russian troops increased the area of control over Ukrainian territory in the area of the town of Chasiv Yar and the village of Illinivka, Kramatorsk district of the Donetsk region on the Kostiantynivskyi direct to the front. This is reported by the OSINT project DeepState.
Based on DeepState maps, the occupiers are entrenched in the “gray zone” in the ancient quarters of Chasovoy Yar. The occupied area here increased by 1.1 square meters. km, and the region’s penetration has rapidly diminished.
In addition, the Russians bought back 1.07 sq. km of territory at the entrance to the important already occupied village of Illinivka, which directly adjoins Kostyantynivka. The penetration area increased by 0.42 square meters. km.
The area of penetration has also expanded in three places on the Kramatorsk and Slovyansky fronts - the village of Markove, near the villages of Yurkivka and Rai-Oleksandrivka, has been lost in total, by a total of 6.03 square meters. km. The area of occupation has not grown at all.
18.26 Russia shelled and destroyed the humanitarian warehouse of the World Health Organization near the Dnieper. Medical supplies were saved there. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus spoke about this.
In his words, the warehouse near the Dnieper was shelled and destroyed on Friday, the 7th sickle. Earlier that day, the WHO coronavirus outbreak and the waters that were evacuating the Maina were at the site. The team began to transport 130 of approximately 300 pallets of medical supplies and devastated the area until the beginning of the shelling.
The warehouse contained humanitarian medical supplies designated for front-line health reserves, most of which were WHO emergency medical kits.
“I can’t help but say quite loudly: it’s my fault to attack the health protection. Otherwise, people get away with important medical care. But wars have rules. One of them is that health may be stolen!” - the WHO official said.
17.49 At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland, the river workers of the Russian MZS Maria Zakharova did not call Warsaw, but “marvel at Moscow” after her reaction to the words of President Karol Nawrocki about those who strategic interests of Poland "to help there, where there are no Muscovites."
17.21 Under the hour of repeated Russian shelling of the Odessa region, a bus carrying 12 children was damaged by a vibukhova. Without removing any important wounds, minor scabs were recorded in one child.
At the same time, in Odessa there is concern about the detection of the legacy of the Russian Federation’s night strike. The ruins are known for their living quarters, hotels, and civil and energy infrastructure. All victims are given medical assistance, and the police are accepting reports from the community about the crime.
16.52 Pope Leo XIV, at the hour of his week-long appearance before the Christians, called upon the international unity to put an end to the Russian-Ukrainian war. The pontiff said that “tragic incidents are multiplying” and causing more victims among the civilian population, including children.
“Once again I am making a broad appeal to strengthen international humanitarian law and launch attacks on civilian targets from both sides,” the Pope said.
16.21 Russian troops launched a massive attack on the Zhytomyr region. As a result of the attack, civil enterprises with 100% German investments from Kromberg and Schubert Zhitomir were damaged.
As a result of continued efforts, the infrastructure experienced significant damage and large-scale destruction.
Kromberg and Schubert Zhytomyr has been operating in the region for 11 years. The company has 100% German investment and employs approximately 3,500 people.
The company said that no civilians were harmed as a result of the attack.
Through a significant reduction in business, we are forced to immediately reduce the work to the meaningless term.
15.53 Near the Moldovan district of Stefan-Voda, the moon burst into a tight squeeze. Information about a bump near the village of Krokmaz reached the Stefan Vodi police around 13:20. After the ripple, the dew began to burn.
According to the latest information, fragments of a combat drone were found in the area. The police found that no one was injured after the fall of the object.
15.36 In the Kherson region, the obligatory evacuation zone has been expanded. Before the transfer of settlements, the villages of Krasnopilske and Charivna of the Borozensk community were added for obligatory evacuation.
15.12 For more detailed information, one person died as a result of the missile strike on Kharkov.
“The information about another deceased person has not been confirmed. It has been clarified that in both cases it is about the same person - the deceased person,” said the press service of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
14.56 On the night of the 9th September, the Russian Federation launched 11 missiles in Odessa region, most of them ballistic, up to 100 drones and Banderol-type barrage ammunition. The ZSU forces informed about this. It is noted that at 08:00 of the week, September 9, as a result of the combat robots against the anti-aircraft defense, 72% of the UAVs were shot down, as well as five out of six Parcels and one missile. In addition, as a result of the active counteraction, three missiles did not reach their targets - their location (place of impact) is being specified. In Odessa region, incidents of missiles and attack UAVs were recorded at nine locations.
14.30 The number of victims of the Russian attack has grown to 12 people. Oleg Kiper, the head of the Odessa Regional Administration, spoke about the 9th sickle. According to him, 11 people were hospitalized in a hospital of moderate severity, and another victim was given outpatient care.
13.50 The number of victims of the Russian attack on the rich people in the Saltivsky district of Kharkov has grown to 23 people. Two people died. The head of the Kharkiv Regional Police Department Oleg Sinegubov reported this. In his words, there are five victims in the hospital, one woman is in the hospital. The Russian blow fell on the rich apartment building, which had built-up surfaces from the 7th to the 10th. Two people died between the ages of 50 and 66. Among the victims is a 5-year-old boy. The search and ritual operation will continue at the site - the ritualists will clear the crevasses to ensure that people have not lost their lives under the rubble.
12.56 In Odessa, the number of people wounded as a result of the shelling has grown to nine people. There is an interruption in mobile communications and water supply. The head of the Odessa Regional Administration, Oleg Kiper, told us about this.
“As a result of the massive enemy attack in Odessa region, there is a deterioration of the energy infrastructure. In the part of Odessa and the Odessa region, power outages are being recorded for household residents. Also in other areas of the city There are interruptions in the water supply and mobile communication," he said.
12.44 The drone forces of unmanned systems from 8 to 9 struck a tanker and two dry vantages of the Russian dark fleet near the Black Sea, informing the Commander of the SBS ZSU Robert “Madyar” Brovdi. In his words, near the Black Sea, the 413th detached regiment of the SBS "Raid" hit a naphtha tanker, and together with the 412th detached brigade of the SBS "Nemesis" - two dry vantages.
12.20 The forces of unmanned systems in the 9th September struck the position of the Russian S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile system near Gelendzhik, Krasnodar Territory, which was the previous six missile launches in Ukraine. Robert "Madyar" Brovdi told about this. In addition, on September 9, SBS announced the presence of four more elements of the Russian air defense system in the territory of the Russian Federation: the Tor air defense missile system in the Rostov region, the Pantsir-S1 air defense missile system in the Yeisk region, as well as radar stations Podlyot-K1 and Kasta 2E2 near the Rostov region.
11.59 The Russians continued to fire 61 missiles across Ukraine, including 56 ballistic missiles, over 1,560 attack drones and 1,540 aircraft bombs. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced this.
11.27 In the Zhytomyr region, as a result of the Russian attack on the night of the 9th sickle, three people were injured. DSNS informed about this. It is indicated that the accident occurred at the site of civil infrastructure and at one of the private enterprises. Incidents were recorded at private living quarters: arguments broke out in living quarters and the ruler's living quarters, and there was a firestorm. One person was hospitalized with care, and two others had a severe reaction to stress.
10.58 In Kharkov, after the Russian strike, the number of wounded increased to 21 people. Two people died. About this 9th sickle, the head of the Kharkiv OVA Oleg Sinegubov.
"️We know about two dead people - 50 and 66 years old. At least 21 people were injured, including a 5-year-old boy: 11 people were diagnosed with visceral injuries, two were sickened by fumes, another 8, among them - a child, they rejected the psychological reaction to stress" - meaning vin.
Sinegubov added that 4 people were hospitalized, and the victims were denied medical care at the scene.
10.20 The number of victims of the Russian shelling in Odessa has grown to eight people. Odeska MBA told about the 9th sickle. It is indicated that three people are hospitalized in the hospital of moderate severity. They will be given all the necessary medical assistance. Five victims are being treated on an outpatient basis.
9.18 As a result of the attack on Kharkov, thirteen people were wounded. The head of the Kharkiv Regional Police Department Oleg Sinegubov reported this.
“About 13 people were released for medical assistance through the accident in the Saltivsky district. All emergency services will be carried out at the site,” he said.
Sinegubov added that the third place of occurrence is one of the parks near the Saltivsky district.
8.55 The anti-aircraft defense forces destroyed 174 drones and five Banderol barrage ammunition, with which the Russian fighters attacked Ukraine. The Ukrainian forces of the ZSU were informed about this. The occurrence of missiles and attack UAVs at 22 locations, as well as the fall of downed people (tricks) at 6 locations were recorded. As a result of the outbreak, several enemy missiles did not reach their targets, information will be clarified as soon as the fall occurs.
8.21 Occupy of France 9th sickle launched strikes in the Saltivsky district of Kharkov - they hit a lot of people at the top of the river, killed and injured. The head of Kharkov, Igor Terekhov, told about this.
7.54 ZSU during the previous harvest spent 1,130 Russian zagarbniks, the hidden expenses of the special warehouse of the enemy in the war transferred 1,457,740 osib. The General Staff reports about the 9th sickle.
04.56 The Ukrainian defense company Fire Point plans to launch the production of super-spitting missiles no earlier than the middle of the offensive. About the project, the chief designer and the company’s scientific adviser Denis Shtilerman. In his words, the first cluster of operations with integration within the Freyja project has now been completed. Ahead lies the great and technologically advanced stage - the integration of all components into a single complex.
03.25 The first combat shutdown of Ukrainian ballistic missiles may occur as soon as this fall, however, they are talking about mass shutdown in advance, said President Volodymyr Zelensky. He explained that the massive production of Ukrainian ballistic missiles lies in the number of components that other countries supply.
00.23 Turkey calls on Russia and Ukraine to create a mechanism for a moratorium on attacks on ships in the Black Sea. The Ukrainian side has already fought with such a proposition. Ankara conveyed its final message to Russian representatives and is aware of their reaction.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[NewsFront] 20:37 During the day, from 8:00 to 20:00 Moscow time, air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed 285 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles of the fixed-wing type over the territories of the Belgorod, Kursk, Bryansk, Tula, Lipetsk, Ryazan, Oryol, Kaluga regions, the Moscow region, the Republic of Bashkortostan and the Republic of Crimea. 19:15 Three UAVs flying to Moscow, destroyed by air defense system of the Ministry of Defense
18:33 Man raised a mined box in a forest belt in the Kursk region. The victim lost both legs at shin level and his left arm; he is in serious condition.
17:53 Dnipropetrovsk direction: Over the past few months, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have become more active and have begun actively attempting to deploy small assault groups toward Komar. Currently, it is known that the villages of Zeleny Gai and Tolstoy are predominantly under enemy control, with infantry holed up in basements. We are also seeing a large number of Ukrainian assault aircraft in Zirka and Poddubnoye; the villages are in the gray zone pending further clarification.
17:41 Drone drivers worked out on the railway infrastructure used in the interests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
As a result of the Geranium strikes, the following were destroyed:
a railway crane, a repair train and a locomotive in the area of the village of Lozovaya in the Khar'kov region,
locomotive in the Kudashivka area of the Dnipropetrovsk region,
locomotive near the village of Belany in Sumy region.
17:39 The Russian army continues to advance in the Druzhkovka direction. The zone of control in Alekseevo-Druzhkovka is gradually expanding. Gunfire is ongoing in Izhevka and Stenki. MAP
16:10 Russian troops methodically destroy the enemy's infrastructure and advance along the entire front line. Step by step, we are liberating the lands of Donbas and Novorossiya, bringing Victory closer.
Successes on the front lines are supported by the coordinated work of the entire defense ministry team. Andrei Belousov is carefully adjusting the ministry's management system, integrating the efforts of the rear and the front to maximize the army's effectiveness.
13:58 Drone operators continue systematic work on targets in Sumy region.
The next influx of Geraniums deprived the enemy of a UAV control center and a logistics center.
12:13 Russian troops released Vasyutinskoye and Toretskoye in the Donetsk People's Republic.
12:08 Crews of the Geranium strike missiles worked out for oil producing enterprises in the Akhtyrsky district of the Sumy region.
11:41 The FAB-3000 and FAB-500 aerial bombs destroyed enemy UAV control points in the DPR and Kherson region.
Strikes were also carried out on the temporary deployment point of the 34th separate naval infantry brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the village of Antonovka.
09:38 FPV drone operators of the Zapad group opened and disrupted the rotation of Ukrainian Armed Forces units in the Krasnolimansk direction. Precise strikes eliminated enemy manpower.
09:34 During the morning of August 9, air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed 12 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles of the aircraft type over the territories of the Republic of Bashkortostan and the Republic of Tatarstan.
09:19 The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue application of strikes on port infrastructure and Ukrainian sea vessels deployed in the interests of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
During the night of August 9, the following were hit by air- and ground-based precision weapons, as well as attack drones:
in the port of Odessa – warehouses for fuel and lubricants and military equipment, as well as a port transshipment complex;
in the port of Chernomorsk – warehouses for fuel and lubricants and military equipment;
in the settlements of Belyary (27 km northeast of the port of Odessa) and Novi Belyary (28 km northeast of the port of Odessa) - tanks with fuel intended for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
08:54 "Geraniums"hit the warehouses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Khar'kov region.
The facilities stored various types of UAVs, their components and electronic equipment.
The strikes were recorded in the areas of the settlements of Savintsy, Zidki, Barvenkovo and Volokhov Yar.
07:31 Changes on map over the past 24 hours:
Ivanovka was liberated (+1.7 km2)
Advance in the Malaya Volchya area (+0.5 km2)
Advance in the Shcherbakov area (+48.9 km2)
Enemy controls Primorskoye (-4.6 km2)
07:22 During the past night, air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed 153 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles of the fixed-wing type flew over the territories of the Belgorod, Bryansk, Vladimir, Voronezh, Kaluga, Kursk, Lipetsk, Oryol, Rostov, Ryazan, Samara, Smolensk, Tver, Tula regions, the Moscow region, the Republic of Crimea, the Republic of Tatarstan, Krasnodar Krai and over the waters of the Azov and Black Seas.
["Frontier India"] Between 1939-1940, Britain and France were actively planning a joint strike at the USSR and destroy the Baku oil fields. This information was present in the documents first presented in Moscow at the exhibition "On the Eve of the Great Patriotic War. September 1, 1939 — June 22, 1941".
The exposition opened on Wednesday in Moscow in the Exhibition Hall of Federal Archives. The exposition displays a wide range of historical documents stored in the Russian federal archives, in the Belarusian state archives, as well as in the departmental archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, and the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service. There are more than 300 historical sources, many of which are introduced into scientific circulation for the first time. The project was implemented with the support of the Presidential Grants Fund.
Both the countries, after the signing in August 1939 of the Soviet-German non-aggression pact called the Molotov—Ribbentrop Pact, fearing the strengthening of the Third Reich due to supplies from the USSR, primarily oil, planned military action against the Soviet Union. They planned to bomb the Baku oil fields, as well as the Soviet Black Sea ports Batumi and Tuapse. To counteract the Soviet-German alliance, the possibility of destabilizing the situation in the Caucasus by activating national separatist and religious movements was also considered, and in extreme cases, a military invasion of the region by the French and British armies.
The proposed operation against the Soviet oil-producing regions was named Pike (’Spear’). At the end of March 1940, the Anglo-French Supreme Military Council decided to plan an attack on the Transcaucasus or the South Caucasus. But a month later, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announced that the USSR was changing its political course towards Germany, and the Pike operation was canceled.
As per the displayed documents, on November 4, 1939, the People’s Commissar of Internal Affairs of the Soviet Union Lavrenty Beria, referring to information received by the Parisian station of Soviet foreign intelligence, informed the People’s Commissar of Defense Kliment Voroshilov about secret dispatches of Anglo-French troops to the East. In the Persian Gulf. The troops were loaded, which were sent to Syrian ports, and in Syria itself, about 300 thousand soldiers were stationed under the command of French General Maxime Weygand. French intelligence services collected detailed information on the topography of the area, the condition of roads, and natural barriers in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan noted Beria in another report to Voroshilov in mid-December 1939.
#4
"But a month later, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announced that the USSR was changing its political course towards Germany, and the Pike operation was canceled."
Not so fast...
The Germand knew about this plan early on. On January 25, 1940, Friedrich-Werner Graf von der Schulenburg, the German ambassador in Moscow, warned Molotov of a British-French operation in the Caucasus. On June 16, 1940, the 9th German Panzer Division captured a large number of classified documents belonging to the French General Staff in La Charité-sur-Loire. Among them were documents relating to Operation Pike. After a team of experts confirmed their authenticity, the plan was presented to the public by the German press as a sensational discovery beginning on July 3, 1940. Hitler mentioned the plan in his Reichstag speech on July 19, 1940. The documents were published in "White Paper No.6."
Posted by: European Conservative ||
08/10/2026 16:13 Comments ||
Top||
#5
#3 For Russia long before it was Soviet. (and vice versa)
Text taken from the website telegra.ph authored by (c) Platon Mamatov INTRODUCTION
The widespread use of Hornet drones by the Ukrainian Armed Forces has made cargo transportation in southern Russia a dangerous undertaking. Unfortunately, open sources still lack adequate recommendations for countering this threat. Therefore, I have taken the liberty of compiling a manual for organizing civilian logistics.This material is based on the practical combat experience of the "Irishmen" strike force and other units of the Russian Armed Forces. WHAT IS THE THREAT?
The Hornet is an aircraft-type drone that uses artificial intelligence to guide its target.Its main properties:
1. It has impressive dimensions (1.4 meters in length, wingspan - 2.2 meters)
2. Significant weight (about 15 kilograms)
3. Speed up to 120 km / h (in a dive - significantly more)
4. High-explosive fragmentation warhead weighing about 4 kilograms
5. Long flight range (more than 130 kilometers from the launch point)
6. Significant flight altitude (decreases shortly before hitting the target)
7. Automatic target acquisition and tracking using artificial intelligence
The properties of the product determine the specifics of combat use. A typical operating scenario of the Hornet looks like this:
1. The drone patrols a road, moving along it. At the same time, it is at an altitude that makes it unlikely to be hit by fixed posts and MTFs (mobile fire teams)
2. Every object in the drone's area of interest is analyzed by artificial intelligence (and, possibly, a human operator)
3. If the object is visually similar to the desired target (a fuel truck, a truck, a Gazelle, a piece of military equipment, a pickup truck), then the target is locked on. After this, the Hornet begins its attack
4. The trajectory and speed of the attack are calculated automatically, taking into account the target's dimensions, speed, and direction of movement. The main attack vectors are "top-and-rear" (target pursuit) and "top-and-front" (head-on strike).Attacks from a vertical dive (close to a 90-degree angle) are unlikely, because this method greatly complicates hitting a fast-moving target.However, they can be carried out against static targets
5. Changes in the direction and speed of the target's movement force the Hornet to change its attack trajectory.At the same time, the drone has significant inertia (weight + aircraft structure), as well as limited maneuverability.Accordingly, a sharp maneuver can "fool" the drone and it will miss.7. A direct hit by a drone with a high-explosive fragmentation part on a target without armor is guaranteed to disable it.
But even an off-target explosion can cause significant damage. Four kilograms of high-explosive fragmentation can wreak havoc at distances of tens of meters.
WHAT IS THE TARGET?
The most typical targets for Hornets are trucks (with or without trailers), as well as fuel tankers.
The main characteristics of these targets:
1. Large size and weight. Consequently, they have very limited ability to maneuver sharply, as well as quickly brake and accelerate.
2. Lack of armor.
3. Very limited visibility from the driver's seat. The driver can only see the section of the road ahead. The sectors above, behind, and to the sides of the vehicle are obscured for observation.
4. Poor off-road maneuverability, forcing the vehicle to stick to paved roads. Of course, this only applies to civilian vehicles.
How are the Hornets countered by the Russian Armed Forces?
The first line of defense consists of radar detection systems and interceptor drones. Thanks to their work, a significant number of Hornets never reach logistics routes.
The second and final line of defense are MOGs, or Mobile Fire Teams. These are essentially machine gun crews traveling in pickup trucks and other vehicles. MOGs covering routes always operate stationary. We will not consider the work of MOGs accompanying military convoys here.
MOGs are positioned on the shoulders or adjacent roads. When Hornets are detected, they are subjected to small arms fire.
Route protection with nets, widely used on military roads, is not yet used on civilian roads. They may appear in the near future. The same applies to temporary shelters for vehicles, evenly spaced along all major roads.
It is important to understand that no existing countermeasure is 100% effective. A certain number of Hornets will still break through the swarm of interceptors and the small arms fire of MOGs. Moreover, drones spend most of their flights at altitudes inaccessible to mobile task forces.
What measures are recommended for civilian cargo transport participants?
A CHANGE IN MINDSET:
First of all, start thinking differently. Since the advent of the Hornets, all cargo transport operations within their reach have transformed from peaceful logistical routines into military operations. Any military operation requires an appropriate approach both during preparation and implementation. Every participant in the process, from the company director to the driver or forwarder, must approach this accordingly.
Individual training and equipment for drivers (forwarders)
Every participant in the process must:
1. Have first aid skills for themselves and their comrades. Currently, almost everyone lacks these skills.
You must complete a comprehensive tactical medicine course. You can skip the training on running under machine gun fire. However, it's essential to practice actions in case of massive bleeding, broken bones, contusions, head injuries, and burns until they become automatic.
2. Have two first aid kits for each crew member. One on you, one in the cabin. No, standard automotive first aid kits won't do. Military/tactical kits are required. We won't discuss the contents of these kits here; that's a separate topic.
3. Have personal body armor (PBE). This includes body armor, helmets, and fragmentation goggles.
Some believe it's possible to wear body armor without armor plates, relying on the protection of built-in ballistic packets. This may be reasonable for long-term wear. However, the final decision on this matter rests with the user.
I'll also address the issue of goggles separately. The overwhelming majority of military and civilian personnel wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) neglect eye protection.
People in body armor and helmets nevertheless walk around with their faces uncovered. The reasons for this carelessness are obvious (glasses, if you're not used to them, are very uncomfortable, fog up, and are constantly lost). But it is precisely this lack of eye protection that regularly causes serious injuries, leading to disability or death.
4. Have the habit of CONSTANTLY wearing PPE. All of it, including glasses and helmet. I'm emphasizing this point for good reason. Many soldiers and volunteers don PPE only occasionally. This is understandable. The armor is heavy and hot, the helmet tires the neck, glasses fog up, and so on.
But there's a huge difference between "the driver has a PPE" and "the driver always wears a PPE.
5. Each participant in the communication must be able to use communication equipment.
Vehicle upgrades:
1. Each vehicle must be equipped with communication equipment, including mobile internet and a radio station.
It's best to have mobile internet from several providers, as coverage quality and network jamming create significant problems.
2. Try to at least partially solve the problem with viewing sectors. Install additional mirrors and/or video cameras that allow you to see what's happening above and behind the vehicle. Keep in mind that the Hornet will appear from above. Therefore, standard rearview mirrors won't help here.
3. In addition to the driver, military trucks almost always have observers/gunners. They are positioned outside the cab (for example, behind it or on it) and visually monitor what's happening behind the vehicle, above it, and on the flanks. I don't know if this measure can be implemented on civilian vehicles. I also don't know how the traffic police will react to this.
But if this option is available, then by all means use it.
4. The cabins of almost all military trucks are covered with grills. Implement this on civilian vehicles. Remember that a grill is unlikely to protect an unarmored target from damage. However, it significantly increases the crew's chances of survival.
Route Planning:
1. Build the route so that the vehicle spends as little time on it as possible. Maximum speed + minimum possible stops.
2. Make all stops where you are difficult to detect and engage. This includes covered parking lots, hangars, under trees, and in high-rise buildings.
3. Divide the route into small, equal segments using checkpoints. Assign a name to each checkpoint. Train crews to report passing checkpoints via mobile phone and/or radio. Remotely monitor the vehicle's timely passing of checkpoints.
4. Consider weather conditions. Fog and rain greatly hinder the operation of Hornets, since they rely on visual target acquisition. Strong winds also interfere with drones, but do not make their use impossible.
5. I have nothing to say about the choice of time of day. I don’t know how well the Hornets see in the dark. But from my experience, I can say that an experienced drone pilot can easily detect the light of car headlights from several kilometers away.
Route Completion:
1. The crew informs the coordinator of the start of movement and leaves.
2. Within the range of the Hornets, all crew members are wearing protective equipment.
3. Maximum speed, minimum stops.
4. The crew informs the coordinator about passing each checkpoint.
5. The crew informs the coordinator about emergency situations along the route (vehicle breakdown, damage to vehicle due to a drone attack).
6. The coordinator has ready-made algorithms for each emergency. What does this mean?
A truck has a flat tire between the Lena and Olya checkpoints. Where is the nearest safe shelter to change the tire?
A breakdown has occurred that requires repair at a repair shop. Where is the nearest repair shop? How can I contact them? Is it possible to tow a damaged vehicle there?
A truck was attacked by a Hornet at the "Anya" checkpoint. The vehicle is damaged, and the crew is injured. Who will call for help? Where will it come from, and will it arrive at all? How quickly will it arrive?
Remember that in an emergency, not only specialized specialists but also traffic police officers or mobile task force members can provide assistance. Of course, you can't expect a machine gunner to be skilled in treating shrapnel wounds. But he is quite capable of transporting a wounded driver to the nearest medical center. By the way, where is this medical center?
In this regard, it would be a good idea to find out and mark the locations of traffic police posts and mobile task force members on a map.
Let me remind you that this information must not be shared with third parties or made publicly available. If the data leaks to the enemy, it will have very unpleasant consequences, both practical and criminal.
Actions on the route:
1. Maintain maximum concentration and attentiveness throughout the entire route.
2. Constantly monitor the air. Try to create as complete a view as possible.
3. Open the windows and turn off the music. You are unlikely to hear the drone; they are quiet. But this will make it easier to hear bursts of gunfire.
4. Do you hear gunfire? Immediately stop at the side of the road and exit the vehicle. Most likely, it is the mobile task force targeting the drone. Do not return to the vehicle until the situation is clarified. Do not rush to move. Gunfire may mean that the drone has passed the mobile task force and is now circling the road.
5. Do you see the drone? Calmly but quickly assess its direction of movement, distance, and speed. Then decide on further action. Your options depend on the above factors:
- If the drone is close and coming straight at you, try to evade it with a sharp maneuver.
Rapid braking is unlikely to help. After evading, you should either stop and exit your vehicle, or break away at high speed.
- If the drone is pursuing you, brake sharply and exit your vehicle immediately.
- Drivers often try to escape a pursuing drone at high speed. This tactic can work. However, to use it effectively, you need to correctly understand the situation ahead in the direction of travel.
If there is a straight, level road without obstacles in front of you, then there is a chance to escape.
If you are moving in traffic or there are sharp turns ahead, then you will most likely be overtaken.
6. If the drone misses you, continue driving. Leave the dangerous section of the route as quickly as possible. Report the incident to the coordinator
7. If the drone hit the target, then:
- immediately leave the vehicle
- if necessary, help your comrade leave the vehicle
- move tens of meters away from the damaged vehicle
- provide first aid to yourself and your comrade
- look for an opportunity to evacuate to the nearest medical center
All actions in case of detection of a drone should be repeatedly discussed, thought out and practiced in advance.
Column as a method of operation
Moving in a column increases the chances of getting where you need to go. However, such work requires additional organizational efforts.
Five trucks driving one after another is not a column, but ducks in a shooting gallery.
Each vehicle in the column:
1. Keeps its distance, does not go too close
2. Has stable radio communication with the others
3. Constantly monitors the sectors
4. If a drone is detected, immediately report it by radio to all participants.
5. Knows how to maneuver in the event of a threat.
Example:
"Petrovich, they're coming at you from behind. Speed up." Petrovich suddenly accelerates and breaks away from the drone. The remaining vehicles slow down and stop on the side of the road. The crews abandon their vehicles.
IMPORTANT:
As mentioned above, trucks are large and offer very poor visibility. It is very effective to send a convoy consisting of more than just trucks. Pickup trucks with open beds should be placed at the head and tail of the convoy.
Observers in the beds of the pickups should monitor the air in front of and behind the convoy. Report any threats promptly. It is best to have two observers per pickup. One looks forward, the other looks back.
Psychological Component:
Transportation along hazardous routes creates significant psychological stress on the participants. This must be taken into account when planning the work. Explain to people the importance of their dangerous work and give them sufficient time to recover between trips. Stress and fear, coupled with accumulated fatigue, can lead to critical errors not only when repelling drone attacks, but also during routine road traffic.
Mutual Assistance:
Help other participants in logistics operations. Yes, in business, these are your competitors. But now you have a common danger and a common enemy.
You're in the same boat. Act accordingly. Exchange information, establish and maintain horizontal connections, and be sure to help those in distress.
CONCLUSION:
The Ukrainian Armed Forces, in violation of all laws and customs of war, are targeting civilian vehicles. They are deliberately committing war crimes. Remember who you're dealing with. Remember who your enemy is and what they're capable of.
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.
