1/ Russian tank operators say that they are running short of explosive reactive armour due to losses running much higher than the relatively low rate of replenishment. Documentation published by a Russian foundation states that 100,000 ERA bricks are being produced annually. ⬇️
2/ The 'No Pasaran Charitable Foundation for Humanitarian Aid to the Population of Donbas' recalls:
"Before and at the very beginning of the Special Military Operation, we often received "bald" tanks from storage, many of which were devoid of dynamic protection from the start."
3/ "They simply weren't supposed to have it.
These tanks, of course, had to be manually "finished" in the repair areas of tank units.
Now, all tanks arrive in the troops from the factory assembly line fully equipped with dynamic protection.
4/ "The problem of the ERA shortage today is solely due to the human factor: our GABTU [Main Directorate of Armoured Forces] stubbornly refuses to understand that ERA is a consumable item. Four years of the Special Military Operation – and it still refuses to understand…🤷♂️
5/ "I have a letter from the GABTU in my possession, proudly informing me that we have no problems with the ERA, and it clearly states: by 2025, under the State Defence Order, we have manufactured 100,000 Kontakt-1 ERA.
6/ "That's very little, gentlemen from the GABTU! That's damned little. That's barely enough for just 200 "tricked out" tanks.
7/ "Meanwhile, in its response to Deputy [Sergey] Mironov's inquiry, based on my appeal, the Chief Military Prosecutor's Office writes that "tank troops in the Special Military Operation zone are 99% equipped with dynamic protection."
8/ "Now, comrade military prosecutors, that's a complete lie and a blatant lie, as well as a direct violation of the order of our excellent Minister of Defence, according to which "lying is prohibited."☝🏿
9/ "Yes, comrade military prosecutors, I want to inform you that with every combat mission, a tank loses some of its ERA, which then has to be replenished. Even if the tank wasn't hit by antitank missiles during a combat mission, it still loses some of its ERA.
10/ "It loses it with every mission: maybe it's just smashing through a forested area, maybe it's scraping a concrete fence or the corner of a house in a built-up area. Or maybe it's just bouncing across fields, a mounting bolt breaks off, and the ERA is gone.
11/ "I don't know how to get through to you anymore.
In every tank battalion or tank company that's actually fighting, it's vital to always have a couple of thousand ERA in reserve in the repair area. A couple of thousand is the bare minimum." /end
1/ Measures to prevent Russia using the Starlink system for drone navigation have prompted alarm among Russian warbloggers. They fear losing Starlink altogether at the front line, and warn that Russia's Starlink alternative is years away from implementation. ⬇️
2/ In recent weeks, Russia has increasingly been using Starlink terminals embedded in kamikaze drones to carry out attacks far behind the front lines in Ukraine. Russian soldiers also rely heavily on Starlink for battlefield communications.
3/ Although Russia is embargoed from importing Starlink terminals, it has a well-established grey import pipeline which involves purchasing and registering terminals abroad, then importing them into Russia for use in Ukraine.
1/ Why are 'penguins' being seen wandering around the front line in Ukraine and getting blown up? The answer lies in a flood of dubious "anti-drone ponchos" being sold on Russian online marketplaces. ⬇️
2/ The specific item seen in recent videos appears to be a poncho being sold for "tactical thermal imaging protection, anti-drone protection". It is just one of many similar garments being sold on Russia's equivalents of Amazon and eBay.
3/ Wildberries and Avito, Russia's Amazon and eBay equivalents, have dozens of listings for such garments. They are typically claimed to be produced in Russia (though more likely imported from China). Some are suspiciously cheap – less than 600 rubles ($8) each.
1/ Donald Trump's ambition to take over Greenland has done severe damage to right-wing Danish parties, according to a new poll. Almost the entire right wing has suffered a drop in the polls, with the MAGA-aligned Danish People's Party particularly badly hit. ⬇️
2/ Denmark's political system is highly fragmented but is divided between a 'red bloc' of left and centre-left parties and a 'blue bloc' of centre-right to far-right parties. A poll carried out for national broadcaster DR shows the latter sustaining a major loss of support.
3/ As DR puts it, "Danish politics have been turned upside down" by Trump's Greenland grab. In an almost exact repeat of what happened in Canada in 2024, centrist parties are making significant new progress while the right has slumped after previously leading in the polls.
1/ An immediate 'energy ceasefire' is reported to have been agreed between Russia and Ukraine in talks in Abu Dhabi, supposedly ending Russian strikes on Ukrainian power and heating infrastructure. Russian warbloggers are angry about the move. ⬇️
1/ Trump Administration officials have reportedly held several secret meetings with Canadian separatists, who are seeking US$500 billion to bankroll their efforts. It suggests that the Administration is interested in breaking up Canada and absorbing the remnants. ⬇️
2/ According to the Financial Times, US State Department officials have secretly met with leaders of the far-right Alberta Prosperity Project three times since April 2025, with another meeting scheduled for February 2026. The APP is regarded in Canada as a fringe movement.
3/ The group says that the US is "extremely enthusiastic about a free and independent Alberta". They want the US to provide a $500 billion credit facility to support Alberta if it votes for independence. The APP is currently seeking signatures to call a referendum.
1/ This video and a second one from the same group of men highlight how the Russian army treats ex-convicts as expendable cannon fodder without any regard for their lives. Here's the back story. ⬇️
2/ The men shown in the videos are serving in the 126th Motorised Rifle Regiment (military unit 50526) of the 71st Motorised Rifle Division. They have all suffered serious injuries leading to amputations of limbs. Despite this, they say they are being sent to the front. One says:
3/ "By order of Colonel Vladimir Nikolaevich Konstantinov, deputy commander of the 71st Division, we are being driven, as it were, to the slaughter. Because, it seems to us, he has a personal score to settle, as we have repeatedly heard that prisoners should not live, and so on."