Mines pose a significant challenge for our army during the counter-offensive. As I've highlighted months ago, the difficulty lies in effectively tackling this issue while dealing with the constant threat of fire from enemy aircraft, AT weaponry, and artillery.
2/ Based on my knowledge about the current situation, russian forces continue mining vast expanses, spanning dozens and hundreds of square kilometers. Even the deployment of Mine Clearing Line Charges (MICLIC) does not provide a foolproof solution, given the scale of the problem.
3/ Russian forces persistently employ both anti-tank and anti-personnel mines to fortify the area. Additionally, it appears that they are utilizing a significant number of remote-mining machinery, such as the Zemledeliye system.
4/ In the specific case, provided to me from the field, the identified mine was likely deployed via remote mining, possibly utilizing the BM-27 Uragan launcher. The Uragan launcher, equipped with 16 rockets containing 9 mines each, enables the simultaneous deployment of 144 mines
5/ The civilian population is endangered by this situation. Numerous reports have emerged about incidents of both domestic animals and people falling victim to mines. Similar incidents occurred before; however, the scale of the current mining is far larger.
6/ The limited supply of engineering equipment, SHORAD, and long-range artillery poses a challenge in breaking through the rigid minefield. While it remains possible to breach the defense line, achieving this objective will demand significant time and resources.
7/ Modern Western armies haven't faced similar challenges with extensive minefields recently. This is primarily due to their aerial supremacy, which enables the elimination or neutralization of threats long before mine-clearing equipment is deployed in the operational area.
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The core emphasis of the Russian military doctrine and strategic thinking on defense and active defense measures was designed to resist more technologically advanced enemy than russia itself
9/
In summary, the task of breaching defenses and minefields, particularly in the presence of hostile artillery and air support, is a high-risk task that needs significant time and effort. Let us not forget the formidable challenge that our officers and soldiers are confronting.
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As our troops advance towards the primary line of defense south of Staromlynivka, whether they proceed directly or choose to breach the line elsewhere, I'd like to share some information about the defenses and other hidden challenges of the current situation.
🧵Thread:
2/ While obstacles can be effectively bypassed using mine-clearing vehicles, bulldozers, mine plows, and other engineering equipment, it becomes challenging to do so with the presence of drones that provide real-time corrections to artillery fire and alert ATGM/helicopter teams.
3/ In anticipation of the AFU potentially capturing settlements on the flank, the enemy has deployed additional defensive systems, including anti-tank ditches, mines, and infamous dragon's teeth. These measures are implemented to hinder flanking maneuvers by the AFU.
The news of the arrest of the senior officer, who serves as the commander of the russian 72nd brigade, by Wagner, took many by surprise. However, this situation has been unfolding for some time now, as I mentioned in a thread over a month ago.
2/ Although some people dismissed the information I previously provided as propaganda or lacking evidence, the ongoing power dynamics and events serve as evidence. Let's closely examine the situation
3/ While many soldiers in the Ministry of Defense either respect or would like to join Wagner, mostly due to higher payments, which are typically disbursed more reliably than those from the MoD, the sentiment among Russian senior officers is quite the opposite.
🧵CAR Ambassador to Russia, Dodonu-Punagaza, in his interview to Izvestia stated the country's need for a Russian military base hosting 5,000-10,000 soldiers. It would serve CAR's interests and facilitate troop deployment in neighboring nations as well.
2/ Additionally, the ambassador confirmed that Simplice Sarandji, President of the National Assembly of the Central African Republic (CAR), has expressed a similar request for a Russian military base during his recent visit to Moscow.
3/ He also confirmed that russia supplies CAR with vodka and beer and acknowledged "Russian company's" involvement in the rare timber trade.
Previously, the "alleyesonwagner" project (@alleyesonwagner ) identified the company in question - Bois Rouge.
New satellite imagery and official reports present evidence that the insufficient response to Wagner's activities in the Central African Republic fuels their aggressive expansion. For additional details on bloodstained African gold, please refer to my 🧵thread and video:
2/ Upon arriving in CAR, Wagner sought control over gold and diamond flows as part of resource securing efforts, often resorting to violence. For instance, last year, Wagner fighters attacked gold mines near the CAR-Sudan border.
3/ Wagner Group obtains control over CAR's gold and diamond mines, along with timber forests by providing armed support to the authorities. Taking advantage of the limited interest in Africa and restricted operational access, Wagner evades accountability for multiple crimes.
In a recent publication by the Wall Street Journal, some details emerged regarding Egypt's apparent disregard for U.S. appeals to revoke the access to russian military flights within its airspace. Today, I aim to present supplementary evidence substantiating this claim.
/2 Yesterday (25.05.2023), the Russian military cargo plane (RA-82030) unloaded military cargo in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic. Upon closer examination of its flight path, intriguing details have emerged, which we will explore further.
3/ Initially, by cross-referencing the flight data from Flightradar, we can confirm that the aircraft in question is indeed a Russian cargo plane AN-124. Additionally, the information available on the website indicates that the aircraft was close to Khmeimim Air Base.
Allow me to introduce a new thread featuring our defenders, who agreed to share their experiences and answer questions. I hope that my readers can gain a deeper understanding of the ongoing war. Today, I'm pleased to present Shootnik, @Shootnick_14 - a national guardsman
Hi! Could you tell a little bit about yourself?
Hello! Before the war, I was a sociologist who enjoyed traveling in Ukraine and abroad. Computer games, whiskey, and TV series were my pastimes. Now, I have a deep interest in studying new weapons and tactical medicine.
Tell us about your initial encounter with the enemy
The initial enemy encounter involved an 82mm mortar. As we reached our positions, it took 15 minutes before we found ourselves in a mortar exchange. In the first week, we faced tank, artillery, MLRS, and air force bombardments.