comment: >
  
  Once upon a time I was falling in love/Now I’m fuckin falling apart!
context: Russian propagandist Solovyov urges Russians not to fear death: Life is overrated
  Russian propagandist Vladimir Solovyov has called on Russians not to be afraid of death, saying that "life is greatly overrated", but death is inevitable anyway.
  
  Ahh yes, Ukraine should join the great Russian society, where nobody cares if they live or die >
  
  Maybe he should lead by example. >
  
  Give him a Mosin Nagant and a pair of rubber boots. >
  
  Melitopol:
  Today, at about 5.30am local time, a powerful explosion thundered near Melitopol, after which the invaders began to panic.
  Explosions happened near occupation troops, between the villages of Mirny and Pivnichnoye, Melitopol region. After arriving along the way of Mirny itself, they began to raise attention and there was a rumble of machinery on the streets.
  
  Earlier reported: that in the village of Mirny, the occupiers occupied most of the heated private houses. Private buildings are dismantled, and the frame boards are used for firewood. 
  At a village in the forested area [outside Melitopol], the occupiers hide military equipment. After the last arrival—at the local recreation center in Mirny—the invaders refuse to settle in administrative buildings. >
  
  Russian New Year strike: hundreds of drones and cruise missiles wasted, a few civilian casualties, some damage to civilian infrastructure.
  Ukrainian New Year strike: a single HIMARS salvo, hundreds of soldiers, dozens of vehicles, ammo dump vaporized.
  The difference between terrorist scum and an actual army. >
  
  
  Record 8 million Russians banned from traveling abroad due to debts
  
  So Russia is now the world's largest debtors' prison. >
  
  Ots probably just more people tryong to leave the country. They have always checked at exit control for things like unpaid traffic tickets or municipal fines.  People trying to leave the country for the forst time might not have been aware of this.  If you do have a fine its up to the agent and how much of a dick they feel like being. Sometimes they just tell you no. Sometimes they let ypu pay the fine right there and go. >
  
  More attacks on the russian air forces. Great to see successfull attacks. The more expensive aircrafts Russia loses the better. >
  
  Or pilots. >
  
  People driving thru Makiivka
  claim that Russian soldiers bodies “are scattered hundreds of meters,” some with the military garments partially blown off. >
  
  The rear view mirror ornament is a bit strange, isn't it? >
  
  Why? Isn't it Ukraine territory? >
  
  Should be -99%, to have it comparable to what Ukraine has sufferred >
  
  That's a good article >
  
  Sanctions are working. The spread between Ural and Brent is almost 30$. >
  
  If Russia confirms 63, then the real number is probably 630 >
  
  Guaranteed 4-10x Russia's numbers >
  
  they put all their hopes on a very cold winter and europe crawling back, which, ha.
  they can't just pivot to other markets, the infrastructure is just not there >
  
  Funny how everything they touch turns to shit. The one winter they needEd to be cold turns out to be unusually warm. I went out on a 2h walk today wearing nothing but a hoodie and I was sweating. >
  
  You should wear pants outside >
  
  That may explain why so many women were laughing. Hmm… >
  
  I just love the fact that Europe is experiencing one of the warmest winters in modern history.
  There is barely any snow in Ukraine even, especially in the south and east of the country. Russia was buying on the fact that Ukrainians would freeze to death by bombing their infrastructure, well jokes on them now. >
  
  Good for civilians, not good for making some ground. If the winter is too mild, Ukraine might have to wait until end of spring to push the frontline again. >
  
  also less frozen mobiks >
  
  Getting wet is really bad when you are outside. >
  
  Not surprising, just disappointing:
  “New Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen signaled a policy shift on Ukraine in his 1st speech hinting the new government will take a more pro-Russian line” >
  
  Isreal needs to think long and hard about crossing the US. Without the US support Isreal would be a memory >
  
  Many of the political parties that gave Likud the majority are advocating policies that will end the US-Israel alliance, such as annexing the West Bank which means either open apartheid or ethnic cleansing.
  I'm sure they know it. >
  
  
  West Bank which means either open apartheid or ethnic cleansing.
  
  My, they've come a long way from that whole holocaust thing .. >
  
  I don't understand being pro-conquest in the 21st century.  Didn't these idiots learn a single thing from the 20th century? >
  
  There is a long tradition in Russia of purging the intelligentsia (both their own and in conquered territories), makes it difficult for them as a society to learn from their mistakes. >
  
  The HIMAR strike yesterday is certainly something.  Assuming the numbers sit between the Russian MOD and the Ukrainian MOD we're probably looking at 400-300 KIA, and possibly similar number of wounded. Assuming they were already organized into their units, that's an entire US regiment wiped out in a singular strike.  However if they weren't organized, and were possibly all from a singular region it could have an even more destabilizing effect.  Russia really struggles on the organizational and supply levels and doesn't seem keen to learn.  I feel them pushing all of these units into one building speaks more to them struggling to decentralize command and control, which ultimately means they're making no attempt to change tactics in this war, and will continue the large scale zombie wave strategy. >
  
  Looks like it was more than one regiment all bunched up together. The governor of Samara region already confirmed that a mobik regiment from there took "some" casualties, plus there are wide but not yet officially confirmed reports that many of the dead were mobiks from Saratov. 
  Apparently there were other strikes at the same time as well: a simultaneous strike on Svatove hit another mobik barracks that also housed "volunteers that recently retreated from Kharkiv". Chorvopopivka was also hit where an "idiot commander stuffed 200 untrained mobilized into one building". 
  So we're looking at heavy casualties in at least four mobik regiments. This is a PR disaster for sure. >
  
  Always be careful when there are claims of specifically 200 dead. Russian code for dead soldier is "200". People often refer to dead soldiers as 200 and it often gets misinterpreted as 200 dead people. >
  
  Oh absolutely. In this case the original quote is "какой-то командир дебил загнал около 200 человек в одно здание" or "some idiot commander stuffed about 200 people into one building". In this context they are clearly talking about two hundred people, not cargo 200. >
  
  Good to see that it's actually 200, which is crazy >
  
  great thread. 
  
  I have already mentioned. Where the projectile used to kill 3 people, now it will kill 30 people. This is the main consequence of the influx of manpower in the form of mobilized. Only death awaits them at the front. Remember this.
  
  We did predict this when mobilization was announced >
  
  that is both awesome and terrifying >
  
  Hilarious. The OpSec idiot is a lawyer at a fancy law firm. He ran for Moscow city council five times for five different parties, did not win once, suggesting he's a professional stooge. 
  Nothing's going to happen to him. Russia doesn't give a fuck. >
  
  
  The OpSec idiot
  
  is a saboteur, he is (probably unknowingly) on our side. I'd like to pay for his mobile internet fees. >
  
  Dropping here because piece removed for 'analysis': 46 toddlers 'relocated' by Putin >
  
  RF MOD Spokeman, at daily briefing:
  
  “We intercepted 7 HiMARS over Makiivka.” 
  
  Zero mention of casualties. >
  
  What I don't get is why the army is still following orders when they treat them like disposable cannon fodder and allow Wagner degenerates to insult their top generals without repercussions. >
  
  For them, following orders is probable death. Refusing orders is certain death and possibly harm to their families. >
  
  to the moon! >
  
  Invest in WagnerCoin today! >
  
  Previous post
  Day 313 of my updates from Kharkiv.
  Today was a mostly quiet day, but as usual Russians launched a bunch of Shaheds at our cities during the night. There was a confirmed hit on one of Kyiv’s energy infrastructure facilities, but the vast majority of drones were shot down. Most drones were aimed at Kyiv, but there were also some that targeted other cities, and I’m pretty sure all of them were intercepted this time.
  While Russians try to destroy our infrastructure, our forces are actually hitting them where it hurts. A lot of Russians are saying that casualties in Makiivka are in the hundreds, it’s pretty insane how basically an entire battalion was wiped out in a single strike because of their incredible stupidity. Who thought that it was a good idea to make barracks and an ammo dump in the same place? Apparently, they also had some vehicles out in the open around that school, which were also destroyed in the strike. It’s like they are sabotaging themselves.
  If even their MoD is saying that 63 people were killed, it means that the real number of casualties is just catastrophic. When Moskva sunk, they said there were no casualties, and back then about 300-400 people died on it, there were only a couple dozen survivors. Now Girkin is saying that the casualties are in the high hundreds, and he is usually pretty accurate, so I’m inclined to believe him. It’s so bizarre that a fucking international terrorist/war criminal is the most truthful and reliable person out of them all. It’s honestly pretty weird that they even let him talk at all, he goes against all the lies that their propagandists spew. >
  
  General Staff:
  Over the last day, defenders of Ukraine killed approximately 720 Russian invaders and destroyed 44 enemy drones, and the Russian Federation also lost another 6 artillery systems, and 9 armored fighting vehicles in the war. >
  
  I don't think it is fear, but the realisation of just how fucked they are even after all the mindwashing and propaganda. 1984 was a book of fiction, deluding yourself only works for so long and after that reality hits you in the face, full strenght.
  So all the Russian 'peace talks', 'security guarantees' and thinly veiled nuclear threats are desperate attemps to un-fuck themselves. 
  Unfortunately for them, that ship has sailed a while ago. Unless Ukraine suddently decides do become a fallen state and surrender, the war will go on with more and more support from the west. >
  
  I think the missile and drones strikes are just a desesperate attempt to lower war support in the population. Russia has to know that the war looks pretty bad for them and no more wildcards left. Neither the natural gas thing, grain exportations, missiles and drone strikes, everything failed to cut off western support and Ukrainian morale of combat. And if the air defense improves drones will be useless as well. >
  
  They'll make movies about this period in Russia, and this scene is going to be recreated with little in the way of editing because it encapsulates the nervous forced smiles perfectly. >
  
  If they make a movie about the entire clusterfuck that was Russia in 2022 (and probably 2023), people in the future will probably hate it for being too unrealistic. I mean, this fucking scene is surreal and it represents modern day Russia very well. >
  
  There has been numbers thrown around, “hundreds,” “600 killed”—we now know the official tally.
  Stratcomm of Armed Forces Ukraine officially releases: Casualties from Makiivka:
  
  The Strategic Communications Department of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, tonight, reported that thanks to an accurate strike in Makiivka, eliminated “about 400 mobilized Russians, and about 300 more invaders were wounded,” of varying degrees of severity.
  It is noted that Russian soldiers were stationed in the building of the local vocational school No. 19. StratCom also released a video from the scene. It shows that the room where the mobilized Russians were located has been completely destroyed. 
  The heavy losses of the occupiers in Makiivka were actually confirmed by Russian propagandists. The presenter … Volodymyr Solovyov reposted a message that the dissemination of information about military casualties is punishable by Russian law with up to 15 years in prison.
  Propagandist Andrei Medvedev was outraged by the negligence of the occupiers, which led to large losses of personnel.
  
  "About Makiivka briefly. Every extraordinary event has a name, surname, patronymic and position. In the 10th month of the war, to consider the enemy a fool who does not see anything is dangerous and criminal. To place personnel anywhere in buildings instead of placing in shelters is direct help to the enemy." >
  
  700 in one blow. Notch that on a belt. >
  
  I like big round numbers. Hopefully Ukraine can get this to 1000 every day. >
  
  Perhaps we see more than 1k dead in 24 hours in the casualties estimates today? >
  
  Danilov, on who can control Putin, who refuses Putin, and a big cause for their higher losses:
  
  Danilov says that the Kremlin does not lose hope of capturing Kyiv. For this, Russia needs to persuade the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, to join the war against Ukraine. Thus far, he still has not agreed, understanding the consequences of such a decision. Similarly, Iran does not dare to supply missiles to the Russian Federation, because it is also aware of the consequences.
  In general, can China influence the Kremlin in matters of the war against Ukraine?
  
  Of course. In fact, the Russian Federation will be subject to China if the West does not draw conclusions. … If today there is no situation related to the elimination of nuclear weapons on the territory of Russia, then Ukraine and the whole world will not be able to live in peace. Because you need to take away matches, weapons and sharp objects from crazy people.
  
  This summer, Russia repeatedly threatened a nuclear strike on Ukraine. Then everything fell silent. What happened?
  
  Everything quieted down after they exchanged remarks in China—it was explained that this cannot be done. Russians are obedient to China.
  
  Are the [high] Russian losses due to the fact that they send completely unprepared soldiers to fight?
  
  There are many factors related to the losses of the Russians. We have very modern weapons. One use of such a weapon can destroy hundreds of Russian soldiers. The Russians do not have such weapons. This is our advantage. >
  
  Bruh Belarus joining really isn't going to do much >
  
  I believe the point is that Putin thinks if and when he convinced Belarus to join is the day he takes Kyiv. 
  Whether he's delusional is another matter. >
  
  “Now everyone smile maniacally…oh come on, hasn’t anyone seen the Black Hole Sun video? Yes, like that!” >
  
  Smells like Puteen Spirit >
  
  
  a growing minority—particularly among Republicans—believed the United States was providing too much aid and that the war was costing the United States too much
  
  Tell us something we don't know about the party of "me, me, me" >
  
  
  a growing minority—particularly among Republicans
  
  Ahh yes, the ones that don't understand economics. The other Republicans understand what all of this military aid is getting them in terms of job support for their constituents.
  A lot of these new Republicans run on hate and trolling to try and "own the libs" .. so they can't comprehend how this would benefit the local economies to where their voters are. >
  
  The Republicans of old are trying to distance themselves now but it wasn't too long ago they were lockstep with the new breed because they were useful. I really don't want to hear about differentiating the two. They can never be forgiven for what they've done. >
  
  What a tragic horrible waste of .... a perfectly good school building >
  
  Look at it as a strategic concentration of enemies at one location, for ease of elimination. Also take encouragement from how the Russians don't have the building to operate from anymore. >
  
  If it's a heavy concrete structure that's pancaking 400 could be an underestimation.  Those kinds of collapses don't tend to leave many survivors.
  Edit: There was also ammo in the basement. >
  
  and I don't see the Russians going ot the same efforts that western and international organizations go to in attempting to locate and rescue survivors. >
  
  It doesn't really matter in those kinds of collapses.  Concrete slabs are heavy and doesn't leave large voids in the debris. >
  
  Or
  It doesn't really matter with those kinds of countries. Russian minds are dull and leave large voids in the debris. >
  
  That’s a lot of not Russians that’re supposed to be fighting Russia’s war. >
  
  I'm guessing that they were probably prisoners who volunteered to join Wagner, then managed to slip away when they arrived in Ukraine. They might have even planned on it. >
  
  Isn't Henichesk or somewhere around there where the Russian Kherson admin ran to from Kherson city? Now they can be attacked there too? >
  
  That must have taken eagle eyes. Good job! >
  
  After first couple of hundreds Ive started seeing patterns. Burned or abandoned fields usually are surrounded by trenches on corners. Tree areas between fields- most of the time it’s trenches.
  Also I finally understand why Luhansk front before the invasion was very quiet- nothing was happening there - the front lies on a river, with all of the bridges blown up, and only a few reinforced positions for hundreds of kilometres.
  The biggest network of trenches was near Mariupol, from the sea cost to the north, kilometres of interconnected trenches… strange they fell so soon.
  I was also surprised by the number of checkpoints and number of cars at these checkpoints, it’s a lot.
  There are also thousands of trenches that seem abandoned, didn’t mark them. >
  
  From 24.02.2022 to 02.01.2023 estimated Russian losses so far (change since previous day):
  107440 (+720) Personnel
  3031 (+0) Tanks
  6093 (+9) Armored Personnel Vehicles
  2027 (+6) Artillery Systems
  423 (+0) MLRS
  213 (+0) Anti-aircraft Warfare Systems
  283 (+0) Aircraft
  269 (+0) Helicopters
  1836 (+44) UAV operational-tactical level
  723 (+0) Missiles
  16 (+0) Warships / Boats
  4725 (+5) Other vehicles
  181 (+0) Special Equipment >
  
  Bad day for infantry >
  
  Every day is a bad day for infantry. I’m more impressed by the 6 artillery today. For a long time UA was only averaging 1/day of those, and it looks like they’ve been making serious progress on that front lately. >
  
  Every little bit helps but Russia has a stupid number of artillery pieces compared to any other equipment (maybe jeeps and trucks are in the ballpark). I can see tanks potentially nearly running out one day in the not distant future, but Ukraine is smart to go for artillery ammunition depots over guns for the most part. Obviously if the opportunity arises, hit the guns, but Russia has like 20k on paper (so 6-8k worthy of being fielded and who knows how distributed between Ukraine and all other areas they keep them emplaced). >
  
  The problem with artillery is that it needs heavy maintenance. There were reports that Russian artillery is worn out so badly that they may risk themselves firing some howitzers. This correlates with the lower rate of fire a few months ago and a general lack of precision. I think that Russian artillery has evaporated either by lack of munition, worn down barrels, broken engines of the self propelled artillery or low quality of manpower. Either way the result is the same. Artillery doesn't seem to be superior to Ukrainian side anymore. >
  
  I don't see that happening unless he's physically captured and extracted from russia, especially this year >
  
  Can prosecute him in absentia >
  
  The mobiks from Saratov story is hitting Russian propaganda sources. They're struggling. The governor of the Saratov region confirmed that "our neighbors were also amongst those hit by the enemy forces. Some are wounded and unfortunately some have lost their lives"
  Linking to these Russian sites seems to send posts into the shadow realm, but there's also a large article on another regime mouthpice that mentions that the entirety of the regiment's property is either destroyed or under the rubble. Some survivors have nothing but underwear and "walk around naked. In flip flops, those who survived. There is nothing: no clothes, no medicines, no money, no food ... Nothing but horror"
  There's also a local news article from the 15th of December that appears to show this mobik regiment going to the front. Lots of old people, half the regiment is out of shape. They're shown hugging their families, plastic bags of food by their feet, and then marching in front of some fat officials. The regiment is poorly equipped, even the front ranks have a hodgepodge of uniforms. About half the men in the last two companies are still wearing civvies. >
  
  "Nothing but horror" was a hell of their own making. >
  
  Russia continues to keep nearly 500 kidnapped people of Kherson in captivity.  The prosecutors office says RF has released 638 Kherson residents from captivity though, and so her office works to understand where the captives are held, and to get them released, too. >
  
  cosmonaut forces? >
  
  Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, tonight:
  Russia is gradually being overtaken by one of the neighboring countries and it may become a colony—he would not name the country.
  
  "The Russians may have new ‘owners.’ Today, we observe that one neighboring country is gradually passing the Russian Federation to be under its control, because it has its own interests. This is a very dangerous trend for peace and for us."
  
  He noted that need to pay attention to the various processes taking place with Russia. Specifically, that Russia only has enough missiles left for two or three powerful attacks.
  
  "We must keep in mind that they can get ‘unexpected friends,’ and Russia can become a colony. If someone believes that it is necessary to negotiate with Russia, then I believe that Russia should be destroyed. And as soon as possible."
  
  He also stated that the Ukrainian military may invade Russia, if that step is necessary to protect the country. 
  
  "If, for the protection of our country, it is necessary to be where we deem necessary, we will be there. And we will not ask anyone. And all these conversations that there is no need to annoy someone there are nonsense." >
  
  
  Ukrainian military may invade Russia, if that step is necessary to protect the country.
  
  Pretty much the only way to deal with cross-border shellings, S-300 launches and missile strikes. Military problems like this cannot be solved diplomatically, unless the other party backs down. If they don't - that's the only remaining option. >
  
  Actually, he goes into more detail in another interview.  He talks about will have to dismantle their nukes, bc they’re irresponsible and blackmail the world. >
  
  Yep, I agree, that should happen >
  
  ABC World News reports that “cell phones from newly mobilized men helped pinpoint the location” at Makiivka. >
  
  Same thing happened to a foreign volunteer camp in Ukraine early in the war. Seems a crazy mistake to make now. >
  
  Russia launches hundreds of missiles and drones and kills what? 4 civilians?
  Ukraine strikes once with a few missiles and kills 400 enemy soldiers. >
  
  Because Ukraine is looking to defeat their military and Russia is looking to terrorize the population of Ukraine. >
  
  So these mobiks were exclusively from Saratov? This is also where the Engels bomber base is, that keeps getting hit. Losing many people from the community, while shattering their sense of security is a potent mix. >
  
  Neighborhood battalions make a return. >
  
  Oh you forgot to mention one thing. It was self-propelled artillery position that was hidden under the concrete bridge. When there was fire mission they were leaving this area just enough to shoot and then were immediately going back to hiding. Mad props to people that figured out the position and how to demilitarize it. >
  
  The Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated Velikiy Potemkinsky Island
  [Great Potemkin or Big Potemkin]
  in Kherson Oblast, according to People's Deputy. 
  link has the posted clip of a Ukrainian serviceman, with a Ukrainian flag being mounted high over the island, he says to the camera thru the wind, “Potemkin is liberated, glory to all!”
  Notes: this island is where the left-behind Russians of the Right Bank retreated to, and there were RF special forces and FSB who stayed there.  Local Kherson press—which has tracked this island extensively as it was always the maritime ward—had said that their duties were to “stop the flow and control of Dneiper River being totally seized” by Ukrainian forces, with the secondary assignment of evacuating any remaining RF servicemen.  About two weeks ago, they apparently forcibly evacuated the elderly civilians who lived there.
  Edit: just noticed, the bottom of the article notes that Russia’s forced evacuation of civilians was mentioned in the General Staff briefing, Dec 15. So we know that as of then, there were definitely still Russians there.  It has likely stayed under Russian fire control the last two weeks. >
  
  This is a big story getting overlooked. It means Russia has pulled back further away from the east bank of the river. The island was under Russian fire-control before and was where some of the last Russian forces gathered as they were leaving the region around Kherson City. Taking an island like this back gives Ukraine more control over the Dnieper and shows Russia is losing ground in the areas they are falling back to. >
  
  The fact that they publicly announced any casualties at all is a huge tell imo. The strike must have been really bad for them >
  
  Yeah, they didn't try to claim it was a smoking accident nor did they try to deny it ever took place .. so it must have reached the threshold of losses where it must be acknowledged in some fashion. >
  
  Must be hard to be a smart person living in Russia watching the drug infested roid eating cancer-ridden 70 year old skeleton killing Russians left and right while sinking the entire Russian economy for years to come and killing the youth which was suppose to be the future of Russia, left and right. 
  Time to die Putin. You are way over your time and the sooner you are dead from cancer, the better. Here`s to dying a horrible death in 2023, cancer or shot in the back of your head by one of your own >
  
  Nah this is part of Russian culture. Putin is a symptom of it. >
  
  Putin is the instigator but hunting down his liuetenents and United Russia enablers is also a top priority. >
  
  I cant wait for the trials and the netflix series. There will be MANY. I used to think ok defeat Putin and let him rot in Iron Curtin 2.0 but not anymore. Now I want to see them all on trial in the hague. nothing less that answering for his and his regimes crimes. >
  
  Every last Checkist must see justice. >
  
  Overall, it shouldn't even be a question or a discussion point. It is Ukrainian territory and that's all there is to it >
  
  There is no discussion that Crimea and Donbass are Ukrainian. There will have to be a discussion about what to do with it. RU spent the last 8 years brainwashing the locals and filling those areas with actual Russian settlers. Once UA retakes these areas, will they let pro-RU people stay, and deal with insurgencies? Will they deport millions of pro-RU people, a large part of which are UA citizens? 
  How do you deal with these people, without turning it into another Sudetenland style humanitarian disaster, or decades of probably violent separatism?
  Arty Green, UA artillery commander giving sparse but excellent interviews recently had an interesting take on this discussion: YT vid, turn on EN subtitles >
  
  
  There will have to be a discussion about what to do with it.
  
  I mean, pretty sure Ukraine already is building/has a plan for that. Publicly known is that russian citizens who entered Crimea illegally (not through Ukrainian administrative crossings) will be deported.
  As for other occupied areas, I expect it to go the same way as Kherson, i.e. heavy work by SBU and police to detain, question and sentence those who were collaborators or similar. >
  
  Super intense footage. Can only hope their gifts were fully appreciated! >
  
  Not sure if unreported or if just I missed this:
  New Years Eve, Shakhtersk was hit w HiMARS, 2:30 am, after the fireworks.
  A pro-Russian local tells about it:
  
  The Russians had settled in a kindergarten in Sadove; now, only one wall remains. The wave blast reached my farm, the whole house shuddered...We have not experienced such forceful explosions, sonic booms here. . . More occupiers were in the club—it’s now a pile of rubble. My niece lives in Sadove—only 20 of the 50 were still there [alive]. All networks silent on this." >
  
  Another side of this, I think, is if there is fully transparency between Ukraine's MoD and the numbers they release (and that's a big "If") then their estimates would always be extremely conservative.
  Imagine the pressure on the guys who collate this data to err on the side of caution. There's almost no harm in underestimating Russia's losses, and a collossal risk in overstating them. The last thing they would want to do is say "Yup. Last strike has decimated x batallion" and have Ukraine's operations act accordingly, only to have them appear out of nowhere in the mist of a counteroffensive. >
  
  It's so ironic that in this world where literally every single god damned thing that comes out of the Kremlin is a fucking lie. And other people have to worry about demonstrating trustworthiness explicitly, in order to gain credibility. >
  
  not really ironic, you just want to be sure the enemy is confirmed to be down for the count - not just thought to be. As well you simply don't want to the guy who fucked up and let a battalion get a surprise attack on a unsuspecting UA formation. There is high motivation to be correct in that type of position when your country survival hangs in the balance. >
  
  Santa delivering some high velocity presents right down the chimney.
  A couple days early for Russian Orthodox Christmas, but they were all gathered together to make the delivery easier. >
  
  Yuri Ignat, Air Force Command: 
  
  The Ukrainian air defense forces destroyed 100% of the enemy drones Russians launched onto the territory of our country, on the night of January 1-2.
  
  "The last time was not different, 100% UAVs then, and UAVs 100% now were destroyed, although in different regions of the state." 
  
  He explained that, generally, Shaheds fly from the eastern coast of the Sea of ​​Azov, but Ukraine still lacks air defense systems to protect all regions.  Ignat stressed that the Russians are using the Shaheds “to deplete our air defense.”
  
  Source: rb c . ua /ukr/news/spratsyuvali-vidminno-ppo-zbila-100-shahediv-1672645257.html >
  
  They're firing them multiple waves a day now. As if they recently received thousands and are swimming in them. Let's hope it isn't true. >
  
  If they genuinely are trying to deplete air defence with the Sheds then firing off all the Sheds rapidly, before the next cruise salvo, would be the right tactic. >
  
  That would be the right tactic if they wanted to overwhelm air defense. If they just want to deplete it, because they received thousands of cheap ass iranian drones for helping them develop nuclear weapons, then their current tactic is sensible I guess. >
  
  As long as they get pushed out of Ukraibe, shooting down iranian drones may just become a field test for westen weapons. Hope the weather let's them make some moves against Russia >
  
  Is Putin in complete hiding? What about his kids? With all the money and people they’re losing, i just don’t get how his inner circle hasn’t killed him yet. They could just kill him and blame it all on him and rebuild. They can’t be dumb enough to think they’re going to come out of this as winners. >
  
  He has a house in the north of Moscow. I am surprised some battalion or other hasn't left the front lines and killed him.
  On the other hand 1 in 150 people in Russia are policemen, and on top of that there is a special security service for politicians, and the secret service, so there is probably a strong sense of the power of the law in the country, especially when the police can get away with abuse. >
  
  
  On the other hand 1 in 150 people in Russia are policemen
  
  Most police departments in the US are happy if they can get 1 for every 1,000. >
  
  Day 313 of the three day special military operation. >
  
  Very special >
  
  If I understand what's going on here correctly, the explosion happened a few moments before he went live and he then joined live from a different location. >
  
  Correct, they are OK but shaken.
  They moved to another part of the town and didn't went back to look to what/where it exploded. >
  
  We need a top 10 Russian cope takes list for 2022.  This way we can properly prepare for the increasing levels of copium in 2023. >
  
  "We haven't even started yet"
  "We fighting NATO"
  "We didn't want it anyway"
  "Goodwill gesture" 
  "Black satanic lesbian Polish mutant mercenaries"
  "Hungary and Poland want to annex Ukraine" 
  "Only Russia can guarantee Ukraine's sovereignty"
  "NATO biolabs developing mutant birds to spread ethnic Russian targeting viruses"
  "Ukraine developing dirty bomb"
  "We've lost nothing of value"
  "Russia is here forever" 
  "If we wanted we'd be in Berlin again"
  "This is our holy war" >
  
  "The US needed 21 days to conquer Baghdad, so I don't understand why people are mocking the RU army for failing to liberate Kiev in just 10 days. You wait and see what happens in the next 11 days!"
  (Spelling of Kyiv and choice of words like "liberate" obviously not mine.) >
  
  They say the days get longer in winter,  didn't know they could become this long though... >
  
  Ukrainska Pravda Updated its Article on Potemkin’s liberation:
  
  Officially, the General Staff did not comment on the information about the retreat; however, according to our military sources working in the south, the Russians were kicked out of the Great Potemkin Island even before the New Year.
  
  
  earlier post:
  The Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated Velikiy Potemkinsky Island
  [Great Potemkin or Big Potemkin]
  in Kherson Oblast, according to a People's Deputy. 
  link has the posted clip of a Ukrainian serviceman, with a Ukrainian flag being mounted high over the island, he says to the camera thru the wind, “Potemkin is liberated, glory to all!”
  Notes: this island is where the left-behind Russians of the Right Bank retreated to, and there were RF special forces and FSB who stayed there.  Local Kherson press—which has tracked this island extensively as it was always the maritime ward—had said that their duties were to “stop the flow and control of Dneiper River being totally seized” by Ukrainian forces, with the secondary assignment of evacuating any remaining RF servicemen.  About two weeks ago, they apparently forcibly evacuated the elderly civilians who lived there.
  
  the bottom of the article notes that Russia’s forced evacuation of civilians was mentioned in the General Staff briefing, Dec 15. So we know that as of then, there were definitely still Russians there.  It has likely stayed under Russian fire control the last two weeks. >
  
  I just wish the russian soldiers turn around and march towards Moscow. At least give your lives for you country and families by fighting those who send you to die. >
  
  "Every now and then I fall apart!" - the Russian army 
  "TURN AROUND!" - everyone