The Russian offensive on Kharkiv has failed. This is reported by Russian sources. But the main consequence of this attempt is permission from Western countries to strike at Russian territory. It was after the attempt to advance to the Kharkiv region that 1/9 🧵@iljaandreev
Ukraine received permission to strike at logistics and military facilities in the Belgorod and Kursk regions, and this is already beginning to bear fruit. There are few reports from the Ukrainian side so far and they are trying to keep quiet, but in Telegram, Z-channels are 2/9
writing about repeated hits on vehicle columns and troop concentrations. Ukraine is starting to go on the offensive to drive the Russians out of the region. Also, the legendary drone unit commander Madyar has been transferred from the Kherson region to the Kharkiv region to 3/9
conduct operations. Jagga-jagga! The Ukrainians have also begun to use new FPV drones designed to destroy Russian reconnaissance drones at high altitudes, which have become a big problem. The Ukrainians also note that they have received a large supply of missiles for HIMARS 4/9
and are using them successfully. However, we must not forget that any Russian offensive, even a failed one, brings with it enormous destruction and heavy casualties among the civilian population. The city of Vovchansk has been destroyed by 80% and the fighting continues. 5/9
Russia is destroying populated areas with missiles and bombs, leaving no house intact. For some time now, the Russians have taken almost no prisoners, shooting Ukrainian soldiers who surrender on the spot. Those who are captured experience the horrors of a real Nazi camp. 6/9
Nevertheless, the US still imposes restrictions on the use of their weapons. Can you imagine this in 1943? Most EU countries have lifted all restrictions, and it is strange that the world's leading economy and the country with the largest army have not done so yet. The war 7/9
is in its third year and it should be clear that there is no need to fear Russian escalation. It has nothing to escalate with. They are even running out of armor and have switched to motorcycles. 8/9
If Russia wanted to use nuclear weapons, it would have done so long ago, but it was and remains a bluff. 9/9
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1/5 Masters of procrastination: Germany's approach on Ukraine is not about managing escalation, but rather waiting for the United States to make the decision. Take by @joni_askola
2/5 In terms of sending Western tanks or lifting restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western weapons against russian territory, Germany is not actively engaging in escalation management. Instead, it is simply waiting for the US to make the decision.
3/5 Scholz initially believed that there would be escalation if russian territory was targeted, but then changed his stance when the US permitted such strikes.
1/5 Western companies that have decided to remain in russia are complicit in funding russia's genocide of Ukraine. It's imperative that we apply more pressure on them. Take by @joni_askola
2/5 Many Western companies have departed from russia due to its illegal and unprovoked failed invasion of Ukraine, but a significant number of Western companies have also chosen to remain.
3/5 These companies are complicit in financing russia's genocide in Ukraine and must be held accountable. It is evident that our current actions are insufficient, and we must take more decisive measures.
1/6 What is russia's air defense doing? Once again, it is proving to be ineffective against HIMARS strikes. Update by @joni_askola
2/6 With Ukraine now permitted to utilize them, Ukrainian HIMARS strikes on the russian side are becoming evident. There are videos and images depicting a successful strike on a russian air defense system.
3/6 russia's air defense has been disappointingly overhyped during this war, frequently failing to intercept numerous basic threats it should be capable of handling.
1/9 Even if France and the United Kingdom permit it, Ukraine still requires approval from the United States for conducting deep storm shadow strikes within russian territories. Update by @joni_askola
2/9 While France and the UK permit these strikes, the US does not. Ukraine is waiting for approval from the United States, or at the very least for Biden to cease opposing these types of deep strikes, before proceeding.
3/9 According to @FRHoffmann1 Ukraine is hesitant to take action without American approval, as the United States would need to lead any intervention if russia were to escalate in a significant manner.
Apparently, the Russian economy is also going according to plan, because the Ministry of Finance is raising taxes. In several sectors at once. The profit tax, personal income tax, VAT for small businesses, as well as excise taxes on real estate and others will be raised. 1/6
This was expected, especially after Putin said that taxes would not be raised. Usually, if Putin promises something, everything happens exactly the opposite. They are also introducing excise taxes on alcohol for medicines. In general, price increases are expected in all 2/6
sectors. Russia has also classified data on gasoline production, which once again emphasizes the success of the Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries. According to the latest data, production has fallen by more than 20% and prices have also increased. The Central Bank is also 3/6
Russia actively hires Africans not only in the ranks of its army. African female students are actively involved in the assembly of Shahed drones in the city of Yelabuga in Tatarstan. In the special economic zone called "Alabuga" there is a plant for the mass assembly of 1/5
Iranian drones. In Russia it is called Geranium-2. The girls are brought mainly from Uganda, where they are selected on the basis of a competition, showing good results in studying natural sciences in high school. They are paid $ 1,000 per month, which is three times higher 2/5
than the average salary in the country, free flights and accommodation, a university diploma. As a rule, they are not told that they will be assembling drones, but are offered work and study in the "high-tech sector". Before this, Russian students were involved in the 3/5