EU or western governments should set up dedicated information and analysis units using open source intelligence (OSINT) and commercially sourced imagery to monitor and record 'areas of interest'
To win the information war with facts
The unit would see itself as transparency and analysis.
It must never get involved in the less savory aspects of "information warfare" lest its information becomes tainted.
Documenting the build up of #Russian Forces before the invasion of #Ukraine showed the benefit of OSINT.
And certain western govs/militaries played a part.
But it could have been done better.
It would be civilian, partitioned off from military intelligence and not have any access to classified material
Permitted data sources would also be chosen to avoid compromising less well known OSINT
So they could share directly with government at all levels, media and public
Such organizations would be clearly governed and have rules of their road
It could be invaluable during conflict, but maybe even more valuable in peacetime
Such a capability would need to be permanent. Reacting in times of tension is too slow
To add and clarify. Militaries and gov do use OSINT, to varying degrees.
But that is different.
This would be set up to disseminate information to public and media.
That's the bit which is inherently weak if it is within the intelligence community
Also, Bellingcat is different and sees itself differently
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I don't normally post about aircraft, but here are 5 awesome and usual loadouts from the Cold War which really interest me from a design perspective.
In descending order of awesomeness
5. A-5 Vigilante US Navy bomber with nuclear bomb up backside
4. English Electric Lightning. Awesome fighter, could carry ferry tanks in the overwing position. Hard to find photos of this, but it could also carry twin SNEB rocket pods above each with, with fuel tanks behind them (!).
3. Ilyushin Il-102, which lost out to the now-famous Su-25 FROGFOOT. Aside from rad lines and rear-facing aft cockpit, check out the tail gun!
#Ukrainian strike on #Russian Navy base at Sevastopol in Crimea appears to have damaged, possibly seriously (TBC), the submarine support ship Kommuna (ref ) hisutton.com/Russian-Navy-K…
Video
Kommuna gets a degree of sympathy because she is an ancient and beautiful ship, 112 years old(!).
But objectively she is a legitimate target and provides Russian navy with valuable capabilities. She often participates in submarine trials and can conduct seabed warfare
First images of Australia’s new 3D printed extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle (XLAUV), the Ghost Shark. 🧵
This is the previous graphic shared by manufacturer Andruil, when the deal for 3 vehicles was announced. See hisutton.com/Australian-Nav…
The design has a square cross-section which contrasts with the rounded form of the previous artworks. This maximizes volume for its given outer dimensions
Crucially, it can still likely fit inside a standard shipping container, an advantage over larger types like the Boeing Orca used by U.S. Navy
Thread 🧵
2 years ago today, Ukraine hit the Russian Black Sea Fleet flagship Moskva with two Neptune missiles.
At the time it seemed like a spectacular event. But the real story of how Ukraine turned the situation in the Black Sea around was only beginning. #Moskvahisutton.com/Russian-Navy-M…
Reports that Transnistria (part of Moldova) may request annexation by Russia.
May trigger action from Moldova with #Ukraine help
#Russia realistically unable to intervene, in part because Ukraine has sunk so many of its landing ships in past 2 years
Thread 🧵
From
Mar 24 2022: Russian Navy Alligator class landing ship Saratov explodes while unloading at Berdyansk on Sea of Azov. Possibly hit by a Ukrainian ballistic missile. 2 Ropucha class landing ships manage to escape. hisutton.com/Timeline-2022-…
Aug 3-4: Russian Navy Ropucha Class landing ship Olenegorsky Gornyak struck by Ukrainian SBU maritime drone (USV) outside Novorossiysk. Significant damage. Towed to Novorossiysk. Subsequently repaired