1/ Ukrainian operatives inside Russia are reportedly acting as forward air controllers, according to a Russian source, using infrared laser beams – invisible to the naked eye – to guide drones to targets. This is likely being done to defeat Russian electronic warfare. ⬇️
2/ 'UAV developer' writes that "in many cities (probably all of them), there are pigs that illuminate targets with infrared lasers. These lasers are invisible to the naked eye, but cameras can see them."
3/ "A drone flying into the area sees these lasers (the beams and "spots" from them) and targets them even in complete darkness.
These lasers have been recorded in Crimea, Cheboksary, and Ryazan. I'm sure they've been seen in other places as well.
4/ "The typical setup is from the window of a rental apartment rented with a fake ID (the window is always open, as the glass interferes with the illumination). Or from an attic or roof.
5/ "Typically, this involves a photo tripod with a powerful laser pointer attached, activated via a Wi-Fi relay with Ozone or some other remote control. The tripod is pre-positioned on the target.
6/ "In rare cases, there was a controlled motor that could be used to change the target.
By the time the authorities arrive, the people are gone.
7/ "That's my point. The flashing lights are very visible on CCTV cameras, but somewhat less so on cell phone cameras. If you see such a beam on your cameras, report it to the police.
8/ "If you're working in security, install a good night-vision night-vision camera at your site and regularly monitor the area. If you're being flashed, get out of there and call the police.
Flashing lights often run continuously for several days.
9/ "I have a video of these flashing lights in action, but I can't post it because the targets weren't hit, as they were identified early and the saboteurs were caught while they were still alive." /end
1/ In the aftermath of yesterday's Ukrainian attack on Moscow, many Russian warbloggers are calling for Russia to "start fighting for real" and are blaming the Kremlin for not prosecuting the war with sufficient ferocity. One warblogger explains why this is a fantasy. ⬇️
2/ Roman Yuneman writes:
"In the wake of today's attack on Moscow, I'm again seeing many comments along the lines of "well, are we going to endure this again?", "when are we going to start a real war?", "why are we showing them any mercy?" and so on."
3/ "It's a rather convenient myth that Russia could immediately launch a devastating response, but we're simply not doing so out of nobility or some other notion held by our leadership. This is a half-truth.
1/ Crimea is falling into a critical situation, says Igor 'Strelkov' Girkin, while in the war as a whole, Russia is "very close to the line beyond which lies military defeat". He lambasts the Kremlin for "lethargy" and living in fantasy on the "Planet of the Pink Ponies". ⬇️
2/ Writing to a friend from his jail, Girkin comments on Ukraine's drone offensive:
"– The situation in Crimea. It is grave now, but promises to become critical in just a few weeks if the enemy continues its strategic air offensive against it at an increasing pace.
3/ "Naturally, this is not just a coincidence - the enemy has far-reaching strategic plans in this direction and is preparing to implement them, increasingly disrupting Crimea's communications with Northern Taurida [i.e. the southern Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions]…
1/ Much worse is to come in Moscow, warns Russian warblogger 'Intelligence Diary'. An AI analysis shows that the city is full of strategic targets that Ukraine may try to hit as its drone offensive increases in scale and scope. ⬇️
"Drones have struck the Moscow oil refinery in Kapotnya for the third time since May. The question isn't whether the attacks will continue, but what will happen next."
3/ "Moscow and the surrounding region are the country's largest industrial region. High-tech production facilities are concentrated here, protected by air defences—things Russia can't afford to lose: energy, rocket science, and the defence industry.
1/ Ukraine's massive drone strike against Moscow – with a reported 555 drones and missiles fired, and 180 claimed to have been shot down over Moscow – has prompted anger, defiance, and resignation from Russian warbloggers. "Tehran is safer", one says. ⬇️
2/ In a since-deleted comment, 'Fighterbomber' writes:
"The strikes on Moscow are alarming and concerning, primarily because, over the past four years, an air defence system has been built around Moscow that is unrivaled anywhere in the world."
3/ "I don't think there's even one comparable in quality and effectiveness.
And it's letting through strikes. It's letting through strikes even on the same target.
1/ Everything's fine, there's nothing to worry about, says Russian political scientist Sergey Markov. Only minor damage has been inflicted by today's Ukrainian strike against Moscow and the most powerful air defence system in the world has been effective. ⬇️
2/ In a masterpiece of minimisation, Markov writes:
"Moscow Mayor Sobyanin stated that Moscow suffered another attempted air strike today, with 180 Ukrainian Armed Forces drones shot down as they approached Moscow."
3/ "Several drones reached the oil refinery in Kapotnya, a district of Moscow. The Sadovod complex also sustained minor damage."
Sadovod is a huge market, apparently the largest in Europe, located essentially in Moscow, just outside the Moscow Ring Road, not far from Kapotnya.