1/ It's a bit unfair to compare MANPADS (#Javelin) to a squad-level weapon (#Stugna) -
- but yeah there seems to be a *gap* in the known & observed effectiveness.
2/ The Stugna (aka #Skif) #ATGM system is pretty neat, especially for defenses, static warfare & prepared ambushes. Also has a vehicular derivative for mobile warfare - a remotely controlled station courtesy of yet another #Ukraine-#Turkey cooperation.
1/ Much is being made of Putin's recent demand that "unfriendly countries pay in Ruble" for the gas exports. I see both a political and an economic angle to it.
2/ The internal politics political angle:
Russian propaganda tells its followers that it hits western nations must now pay in Ruble, and that this strengthens the Ruble.
This strengthens Putin's position.
3/ Meanwhile western propaganda tells its followers that, after tough negotiations, they'll keep paying in Euro. Occasionally mentioned is fact that a russia-controlled bank will run the exchange.
1/ Sometimes I check up on the loony left and boi it's a doozy.
In their mirror universe "Trump-Russia" is still hotly researched, and sometimes even "proven" 🤡
And of course it all arched, over *decades*, towards The Current Thing 🤡🤡
2/ A guy writes a long self-congratulatory thread over his long self-congratulatory article over his long self congratulatory book. The thread is full on 🤡🌍. Reject this nonsense.
The free article gets applause from his readers 😏
3/ The guy, still very 🧂y over Trump's first term, calls himself "Trump biographer" 🤡
3/ The other important development to watch out: how Germany ends up paying for Russian gas. Mixed signals so far - some say "will pay in EUR", others "will pay in Rubel", yet others "will do a conversion trick".
What do you suppose Germany will end up paying with?