Ops-Normal.org

Be aware that there is a vast amount of fake info around about this incursion, and this is deliberate by NAFO (sic) in order to confuse the situation for the Russians, and by the Russians to pretend it was no big thing and is over.
Some of the fakes are very good, it's Top Trolling. The Russian lies are of a much lower standard and easily debunked.

To summarise, there's nothing confirmed other than the raiders capturing a BTR-82, and being seen in Kozinka and Glotovo yesterday.

Fox3WheresMyBanana wrote: ↑

Mon May 22, 2023 2:04 pm

So, Russians have captured 4 settlements in a few hours - this is the most successful Russian attack of the war!

Advanced Staff College
Final Exam.

1. Russia's progress in the Ukraine war was slow because

a) It was planned that way by putin from the beginning
b) NATO launched a proxy war with near unlimited resources
c) Russia wished to protect life and preserve property
d) Russia has a sh!t army led by corrupt morons

Hint: only one of these answers has not appeared in Russian State Media

Give us a clue please. C?

Oh yeah, pick any apartment, move right in.
Handyman special!
Penthouses now available on the first floor.

The only way this could get more weird is to find Prigozhin is behind the Russian volunteers.

.

It's called Marketing
Did you know every Russian ambulance driver has to watch 'Death Race 2000' as part of their training?

Judging from the vegetation and state of the ground, and comparing to my similar environment, this was taken within the last 10 days.
So, along with the Swedish brigade, it seems equipment delivery is holding up the Ukrainian counterattack at the moment.
We will probably have another week of random silliness diversionary assaults before it all kicks off.

Ukraine is reporting that Russia has cancelled the operation in Belgorod (not on Russian media yet).
Presumably, the rebels have all left.
One awaits any evidence that Russia killed any rebels or destroyed any of their equipment. Don't hold your breath.
Do note that the Russian explanation gives them an excuse for not producing any evidence. How convenient.

..and F-16 training has started now Biden has stopped blocking other countries from donating them.
Training location (and nationality of trainers) unknown at present.
The Netherlands seems most likely to donate first. They have 40 available by most accounts. Several other countries upgrading to the F35 also have some.
I think the numbers discussed add up to about 100 in total, but more likely half that will be available.
The main advantage of the F-16 for Ukraine is not the performance but the weapons compatibility.
Specifically, Ukraine needs something to deliver AMRAAM in the air-air role, Harpoon in the anti-ship role, and assorted western precision weapons for air-mud.

Belgorod update:

Russian former colonel turned mercenary claims the rebels have captured two new villages



A few military transports appear to be the only losses proven so far.
Cheap at twice the price.
No sign of the BTR-82 the rebels acquired, so I guess they still have that, and maybe a BTR-80 also, reportedly.

Another Russian blogger reporting further action in Belgorod, SE of the previous shenanigans.

Clearest official Ukrainian counterattack statement for a while.
The lack of weapons was given as the last reason for delays.

I still find this slackness staggering - Russians leaving the hatches open on a disabled vehicle after over a year of war.
One drone later and it's gone, maybe just because of a busted track link or a flat battery.

Ukes training on the Leopard 1 in Germany.
100 of these due, deliveries starting in the early Fall.

Russian official video released of troops bravely reoccupying a seemingly deserted Glotovo.

Meanwhile, in four other places around 20 miles away in Belgorod Oblast, and now 50 miles away in Kursk Oblast....


Russian official media ignoring all of the second wave of occupations.

Smoke appeared in the area near the Crimean (Kerch) Bridge on the morning of 24 May, Russians claim this is because of exercises.

https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/05/24/7403616/

Certainly appears to be a deliberate smoke generator in operation in this video



Bridge reported back in operation by 11:00

Defence against Storm Shadow test?

The Russian Army's search for serviceable tanks continues

Encouraging...

It is suspected that a Russian Su-35 that was shot down near Zaliznyi Port, southern Kherson, a few days later, was also a Patriot kill.

The current preliminaries to the counterattack by the Ukrainians now mean a massive restriction on Russian aircraft movements within 50 miles of the front line, and a huge new requirement for armed and capable Russian border forces.

A major upset of the Russian rail transport system has to be on the cards. It's been quiet in that area for a long time. Given the ability for rail lines to be fixed quite quickly. I would expect this just before the counterattack, although personally I'd do a few derailments a few days before, then I'd go blow up all the repair cranes overnight just before the attack. These have to be a highly limited resource.