Millions of us might be **** if we ignore the Russian-Ukraine war

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

I wonder if Xi's meeting with putin is a warning to the Americans to back off in the Middle East.

The answer to both questions is probably "Yes...and No"

I think we are seeing the usual political opportunism.

My guess is the ATACMS supply is due to the US finally modifying it so if one is sold off by the Ukes or bits recovered by the Russians then it won't give too much away, and that Xi's meeting is linked to the US proposed blocking of AI chip export to China. But a lot of people would have a vested interest in portraying the moves as related to their own concerns.

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Just in:

Ukraine may be mounting a big push across the Dnipro, centred on Poima, between the Antonivsky road bridge and the rail bridge further east. Both bridges were destroyed long ago.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/46%C2 ... ?entry=ttu

The Ukrainians already have an SF presence across the river in the island-marsh areas just west of this incursion. It may be just another attempt to distract the Russians, in an area they have withdrawn forces from to bolster the Zaporozhzhian front. On the other hand, it may be a major push disguised as the former.

One awaits developments.

[boing]

Someone viewed the identification plate data on the missile body recovered by the Russians and opined that these were very old production due for destruction in the very near future.

The problem with controlling the semiconductor production is that so much of it has been outsourced overseas. When I was buying high performance CPLDs some years ago they were sourced from an American company but made in Singapore and shipped directly from there. I have dozens of surplus CPLDs exactly the same as those shown in the photos of downed Shahid drones, not the latest design but obviously fit for purpose.

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[llondel]

Someone viewed the identification plate data on the missile body recovered by the Russians and opined that these were very old production due for destruction in the very near future.

The problem with controlling the semiconductor production is that so much of it has been outsourced overseas. When I was buying high performance CPLDs some years ago they were sourced from an American company but made in Singapore and shipped directly from there. I have dozens of surplus CPLDs exactly the same as those shown in the photos of downed Shahid drones, not the latest design but obviously fit for purpose.

It's not the same with military stuff, but for consumer stuff, finding a chip a year old in something just coming off the production line would be highly unusual.

If an old CPLD is good enough for the job then provided you've secured enough of a supply, they'll be cheap, and as they're not bleeding edge tech any more, probably not monitored as closely.

[OneHungLow]

Brave, brave woman...

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/ ... ned-russia

[tango15]

Brave, brave woman...

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/ ... ned-russia

I take your point OHL, but anyone who possesses dual passports, one of which is Russian, presumably to avoid the need for a visa, was the one she was using, should know the risks they are taking in these situations. Unless there is some sort of a prisoner swap in the foreseeable future, this woman will be locked up for years.

[OneHungLow]

Brave, brave woman...

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/ ... ned-russia

I take your point OHL, but anyone who possesses dual passports, one of which is Russian, presumably to avoid the need for a visa, was the one she was using, should know the risks they are taking in these situations. Unless there is some sort of a prisoner swap in the foreseeable future, this woman will be locked up for years.

I agree but then look at Alexei Navalny. He didn't need to go back but he did?

[tango15]

Every Russian knows that the state doesn't tolerate dissent. If you're arrested, it's a one-way street. A lady I worked with many years ago, and with whom I am still in contact, was arrested during an anti-Putin rally a few years ago. She was taken to court the following day and given the option of six months in jail or a fine of about $1200 - about two months' wages. The leaders of the anti-Putin demo fled abroad the day after the protest and haven't returned. I suspect that just about anyone who detests Putin and is able to, has left Russia by now.

Meanwhile, the Special Operation continues to fall apart: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-67058953

[Boac]

What a crying shame that all this 'stuff' with Israel is taking attention away from the war in Ukraine. T15's link is big news.

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Same, same in Ukraine the last few days.
SF probing strikes continue on the left bank of the Dnipro, between Kherson and Nova Khakovka. Kyrnky is in play now, before Uke forces have been fully withdrawn from Poyma.
The Russians continue to press around Avdiivka, but at great claimed cost.
The Uke advances in Zaporozhzhia continue, but are slower than a stick.

and all the while, the Russian economy deteriorates, by any measure.
The Indians just refused to pay for Russian oil in Yuan, which Russia needs for its increasing imports from China (and presumably from Yung Fat Wun in NK also).
Which kinda indicates that India feels they have the whip hand over Russia.

OTOH, Ukraine must be getting nervous about US, etc, funds being diverted to the Middle East. As I said months ago, their slow attrition strategy is dependent on a stable world order, and there isn't one.

[boing]

The US has enough available weaponry to keep both Israel and Ukraine supplied for years and the new range of Chinese specific weapons are under development with entry to service predicted as late next year depending on who is reporting.

Taking out Iran and Russia are good uses for these weapons with mutual benefit to both Israel and Ukraine. If Iranian drone production is terminated both countries gain, so does the US.

Don't forget that US defense planning has always been to have the capability two fight two simultaneous wars and the present conflicts do not even require US manpower just technology and intelligence.

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[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Probably a good excuse to have a go at Yung Fat Wun also, and that's the whole Axis of Evil sorted!

[OFSO]

Well, at least the USA has the technology. One out of two ain't bad....

[John Hill]

Probably a good excuse to have a go at Yung Fat Wun also, and that's the whole Axis of Evil sorted!

Yea, why don't they start another war especially considering they have done so well at winning wars in our lifetime.

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Couldn't agree more, John.
Just because they'd think it was a good excuse, doesn't mean it's a good idea.

[llondel]

Being told there are reports out there, including the UK's Daily Mirror, that Putin has had a heart attack, serious enough that he needed resuscitation.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-new ... c-31259024

[PHXPhlyer]

Who is pulling the strings of the doubles?

PP

[PHXPhlyer]

Nothing on MSM about this over here.

PP

[llondel]

Yes, I'm keeping an eye on it too. I guess they haven't found anything more credible than the Telegram channel claiming it happened. I did like the Twitter comment that wondered which of the body doubles it was.

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

I recall a joke last year, where the body doubles are called in for an emergency briefing.

"The good news, gentlemen, is that putin has survived the assassination attempt.

The bad news is that his left leg has had to be amputated."