Russia - threadbanned users in OP

I'm really scratching my head about the use of smoke machines as a way to thwart an incoming attack. Its either complete genius or just another mad and weird story from the Russian side.

The most obvious reason I can think off is that they use it as a deterent against drones, and at the time they didn't know what attacked them

As much as I'd love this to be true I think the title is a bit misleading.

I don't think that Ukraine simply burst forwards 20km overnight. Unless I'm mistaken they're talking about an overall advance of 20km split between two points on the map. They're still fighting hard at Robotyne and Urozhaine.

Also, if you want to lie to your public about a fancy bridge getting hit constantly, it's easier to say "we are conducting smoke screen drills" rather than just admit "it was hit again". Not that I'm suggesting Russian officials would lie, no no never sir.

Did some digging could be in total since Jine, which is depressing. But looks like there have been victories or good results today.

It tough to say what the article means. It might mean 15-20km squared. Which would make more sense. But Ukraine have gained MUCH more than 20km sq since June. Tenfold more from my reading.

So it could be 15-20km sq in some key areas in the south over the past week/few days? Which isn't quite as exciting as a 20km arrow towards the sea of Azov overnight. But it's not nothing either. Especially since Russia really seems to be throwing the kitchen sink at the UAF in this area trying to retake the land they're slowly losing.

I have some faith in the cleverness of UAF leadership at this stage. Ukraine isn't throwing their soldiers into the fire here for meters of soil, it's not their style IMO. Just like in Bakhmut. Everyone thought that Ukraine was being stubborn for no legitimate tactical reason in Bakhmut. But they clearly had a plan in mind. They bled Wagner dry and the Russian federation nearly collapsed with the Wagner mutiny afterwards.

I may turn out to be wrong here but I still have faith that what we're seeing is Ukraine softening up the frontlines and the real hammerblow is yet to fall.

We'll see I guess.

Right, but the temperature never hit 47c. That's all I said, not sure what you're getting at now.

This is precisely the problem .... the current version of the Republicans ... and de Santis will be worse than Trump ... is a hardline entity not at all unlike the current Iranian hardliner ruling party Paydari ... policy like pulling out of the deal, killing Soleimani and sanctions all allowed hardliners to take control and strengthened the grip of the Khamenei family and Paydari ... the ascent of these is not in the interest of Iran, US or Europe ... and neither is the ascent of hardline Republicans who believe in conspiracy theories ...

Iran's current rulers will not last long if they continue with their current role .... siding with Russia and ignoring other relationships as well as deliberately oppressing the people with the worst type of unintelligent peasant cultism does not give them legitimacy ... Putin's war is a disaster and unless he finds a way out in the nest 1-2 years he will go the way of the Tsar ... Iran's economy is even worse and it is only a matter of time before the army will side with the people instead of Khamenei ...

I suspect a more moderate Iranian government will form ... but the question is will the US embrace it like it should or will it punish it again leading to another hardliner taking hold?

Russians receiving some presents as they leave Urozhaine

People who are worried about Russian counter-offensives need to watch videos like this.

It's not leadership. It's a little show "i am dealing with corruption" while in reality it's more of a "you've made loads of made money? Now, move aside and let others have a go at it". Same as Minister for Defense is getting a boot (even though it was supposed to happen back in Feb but didn't) for various schemes that were found out. Is he going to go to prison? No. He is likely to become an Ambassador in the UK :)

However, Zelensky's idea of making recruitment heads of those that fought on the front line and got wounded is actually fair. Those that lost their limbs know very well knowing the history of Chernobyl, Afganistan that nobody is going to care for them in a few years time (if not already) so this would nearly be the only opportunity for them to make as much money as possible to safeguard their future and the future of their families, and good for them - they need to think about themselves because the government won't. I'd rather they got the bribes than those that did absolutely nothing for their country. And if some of them actually end up doing their job honestly, it will be a bonus.

It is leadership during a time of war to admit corruption on scale (which can be used as propaganda by the enemy) and then to tackle it. Likewise when Zelensky took action when (reported) high-pricing was discovered for military food contracts.

The decision to replace recruitment civilians with people who've been on the front line also makes sense from a recruitment perspective.

Zelensky has been visiting soldiers on the front-line, in some pretty dangerous areas, working constantly to secure better equipment and arms, honouring the dead, lobbying on the troops behalf, he has massive respect among the people and military.

And there are posters on here who believe that Russians have choices.... Imagine here in Ireland you take your car to the NCT centre, Motor Tax, Revenue Office, or indeed any state office, and get grabbed there and then. And it can happen on the street too. You leave home, and the next time your Family hear from you is that you are now in the army. And I've seen it happen. Perfectly normal in a terrorist mafia state.