1/ Russian warbloggers conclude gloomily – and angrily – that the Russian Black Sea Fleet is so weakened and so far behind technologically that it cannot retaliate effectively against Ukraine's attack on two Russian 'shadow fleet' tankers. ⬇️
2/ On 28 November, the tankers Kairos and Virat were struck and seriously damaged by Ukrainian sea drones in the southern Black Sea. Both ships were disabled and had to be towed to Turkish ports. Ukraine subsequently declared a de facto blockade of Russian maritime cargo traffic.
3/ The news has been greeted by Russian warbloggers with resignation and complaints about the deficiencies of the Black Sea Fleet. 'Informant' writes:
"Responses to such attacks are purely political, as they involve the destruction of ships and bulk carriers heading to Odesa."
4/ "Strikes against them would significantly exacerbate relations with a number of respected partners , including Turkey.
As a reminder, Odesa shipping remains one of the main sources of income for the Ukrainian budget.
5/ "The Black Sea Fleet is incapable of blockading the Ukrainian coast due to its weakness.
More strikes against port infrastructure in the Odesa region, including the port of Izmail, are likely to be expected."
6/ 'DSHRG Rusych' complains:
"Will there be retaliatory action? We doubt there will be. The Black Sea Fleet is confined to its distant bases. Our esteemed partners, including Turkey, may not understand Russia's retaliatory actions, should they ever decide to take them.
7/ "Meanwhile, bulk carriers continue to sail to Odesa, and for some unknown reason (probably the same reason we don't attack the enemy's political leadership), we don't destroy them."
8/ 'Military Informant' concludes:
"This is a logical consequence of the Russian Black Sea Fleet's withdrawal from its missions, hiding in ports from the enemy due to its inability to counteract Ukrainian unmanned boats.
9/ "One can make endless threats about whether the grain carriers will reach the ports of Odesa, but in reality, tankers have yet to reach Novorossiysk."
10/ Where are Russia's own sea drones (USVs)? asks drone specialist 'UAV Developer', who blames the Russian Navy's failure to keep up with Ukrainian technology:
11/ "And I said that admirals just get off on getting fucked. It's their BDSM.
There's no other explanation for their total impotence for FOUR years!!!!!
12/ "We could blame it on the entire military, but no. FPV production was quickly established, and development is underway in Gerans [Shaheds], in reconnaissance, and in evading anti-aircraft drones. Even, God forgive me, communications are developing little by little.
13/ "And then the navy comes into the picture and eclipses all the achievements of all branches of the armed forces with its brilliance!
This is despite the fact that Russia has, like, FIVE good USV projects!!!!! For two years now.
14/ "They could have launched them two years ago and outnumbered the Ukrainians, like what happened in the FPV world.
But no. We want a bigger, blacker torpedo.
And yes. All the tankers and bulk carriers bound for Odesa will arrive there intact. You'll see.
15/ "The worst part is, we already knew yesterday afternoon that their reinforcements were heading to Novorossiysk. They knew, they saw, but they couldn't do anything about it. Fuck, how much longer can this go on? How much longer are they going to screw us?" /end
1/ An apparent attack on a 'shadow fleet' tanker off the coast of Senegal means that Ukraine may now be able to attack Russian interests worldwide, says Russian war correspondent Alexander Kots. He calls it a new and threatening phase in the war. ⬇️
2/ Kots, who writes for Komsomolskaya Prava, has asked how Russia should respond to the severe damage suffered on 27 November by the oil tanker Mersin. Its Turkish owners report that the vessel was hit by four external explosions while it was in the eastern Atlantic Ocean.
3/ The crew is reportedly safe, but videos show the vessel down by the stern after the engine room flooded. The incident is strikingly similar to the confirmed Ukrainian attacks on 28 November against two oil tankers which were travelling to Russian Black Sea ports.
1/ A video showing alcoholics, newly recruited into the Russian army, has attracted scorn, concern, and even some compassion from Russian warbloggers. They suggest that the men will be deliberately killed for being useless when they arrive at the front. ⬇️
2/ "We are Russians - we don't care' comments that this video is far from being a unique case (a fact that other warbloggers have confirmed). "If you think these are just the most hopeless ones, then I have some bad news for you – these are only the ones that got busted."
3/ The 'House among the Laurels' Telegram channel writes:
"Oh, this war and its long duration, during which unknown meanness and a multitude of "grey" schemes have proliferated—options for greedy profits among participants in or close to the frontline communities."
1/ Relationships between neighbouring Russian units in the Pokrovsk area are reportedly so tense that commanders have had to publish instructions on how to behave – including refraining from stealing from each other. A lack of training and incompetent command is blamed. ⬇️
2/ 'Callsign OSETIN' explains the context:
"Comrades in Pokrovsk, I'm addressing you. Information is coming in from various units that there's discord between some units; no one wants to cooperate, and no one likes their neighbours, blaming each other for everything."
3/ "If this is true, I ask all soldiers, including brigade commanders, to resolve this issue and forget all grievances. We have one enemy, and squabbling among ourselves is absolutely unacceptable, especially when several cities containing U.S. forces [sic] are about to fall.
1/ The Wall Street Journal reports that the main focus of the US-Russia peace talks is to get commercial advantage for American companies, and personal benefits for individuals linked to the Trump Administration. European officials are said to be shocked by the plans. ⬇️
2/ According to the WSJ, talks between Trump's golfing friend Steve Witkoff, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev have bypassed the US national security and diplomatic apparatuses to focus on economic benefits for well-connected American companies.
3/ The paper reports that "a cast of businessmen close to the Trump administration have been looking to position themselves as new economic links between the U.S. and Russia." Friends of the Trump family and Trump donors are working on lucrative deals with Russian companies.
1/ The Russian army has to rely on modified civilian vehicles purchased with soldiers' own money, because military trucks are in such short supply. According to a Russian soldier-warblogger, units have to wait between 5 to 12 months to receive trucks. ⬇️
2/ Probably as a result of heavy losses due to Ukrainian attacks and a slowdown of production at Russian manufacturers, trucks are now scarce in the Russian army. Light vehicles and motorcycles are not supplied by the army, forcing soldiers to buy them themselves.
3/ 'Vault No. 8' comments:
"It wasn't until mid-2024 that the regiment finally received a few Chinese buggies out of the 1,500 sent to the Special Military Operation."
"Rule 47. Attacking persons who are recognized as hors de combat is prohibited. A person hors de combat is:...
(b) anyone who is defenceless because of unconsciousness, shipwreck, wounds or sickness...
3/ "... provided he or she abstains from any hostile act and does not attempt to escape."
I expect that Hegseth and others involved will get a preemptive pardon from Trump eventually, but they might want to avoid travelling outside America for the rest of their lives.