Short message from “Juan”
“Another long night. As of this time, 06:14 local time, the Grad system has not fired. Bombardment of civilian areas stopped at 03:00 31.05.14 and resumed at 06:00 this morning.”
Blog
May 30th combat SITREP update by “Juan”
Seemyovka, Slavyansk, Kromatorsk and Donetsk City are under heavy artillery bombardment and aircraft bombing attacks for 2 hours and continuing. Civilian areas targeted. Civilian casualties are mounting, Donbas Army casualties unknown. Data provided 25 Brigade located on Karachun Mountain overlooking Slavyansk has been order to fire Grad systems early morning 31 May 2014 in full salvo. 3 launchers in place. Commander refused the order and was removed. Systems have been
May 30th combat SITREP by “Juan”
1. Sporadic and heavy at times fighting around Slavyansk and the outlying villages on 29 May with no notable successes for the Nats Army and national guard units. Some losses reported for the national guard units. 2. A half battery of Grad missile launchers, BM-21, is in position within range of Mariupol. As of this morning that unit has not fired. Range of Grad missile is up to 35 kilometers.
A pleasant interlude: Russia’s Diamonds by Yuri Dia konov
I have recently had the pleasure of reading the latest book by Yuri Dia konov entitled Russia’s Diamonds and I can immediately tell you that it is a fun read. The weird thing is that the Amazon blurb about this books says this about the book: Some agents are bigger than life. Kllip Lugre works for Russia. You might say that Lugre is the antithesis of James Bond. But not
Russia gives 240 million Euros to Syria
The news agency Regnum has announced that Russia will give Syria 240 million Euros to help it pay for its social programs. 46 millions will be donated and the rest of the sum loaned. This agreement was negotiated by Dmitri Rogozin during his recent trip to Syria. The agreement will not require any additional spending for the Russian budget as both side have agreed to a “debt in exchange for
Ukraine SITREP May 29th, 16:06 UTC/Zulu: Poroshenko’s weird war
Introduction: the broader background to the Ukrainian crisis Before looking at the latest developments in the Ukraine, I think that it is important to at least mention two major developments involving Russia. First, Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus have signed the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and they will soon be joined by Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. Second, China has officially called for a new security alliance with Russia and Iran thereby proving
Interesting interview of Alexander Borodai, the Prime Minister of the Donetsk People’s Republic
Tonight the Russian TV showed a rather interesting live interview of Alexander Borodai, the Prime Minister of the self-declared “Donetsk People’s Republic”. Alexander Borodai interviewed while protected by his anti-sniper team Here is a summary of his statements: There are no combats inside Donetsk proper. The DPR forces fully control all of the city. The Right Sector fully controls the airport. The junta’s air force make regular overflights of the
Ukrainian nationalism: an image is worth a thousand words
Normally, when somebody is presented a sword or another weapon, it is the person accepting the gift which is supposed to stand on his knees to receive it, not the person giving it. But in Banderastan, things are always the opposite of what they should be.Check out the photo below. It shows a Ukie general standing on his knees to offer a sword to John F. Tefft, US Ambassador to
Speech of Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah commemorating the Day of Resistance and Liberation held in the Southern village of Bint Jbeil on May 25th, 2014
Foreword by the Saker: those of you who are new to this blog might not know it, but in the past I have always posted the translated speeches of the Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah for two reasons: first, I have an infinite respect and admiration for the man himself and for his movement, but also because I believe that being exposed to his views is absolutely mandatory for anybody
May 28th combat SITREP update by “Juan”
Residential areas of Slavyansk shelled by mortars and artillery starting at 11:00 local time. School #13 in Slavyansk was hit by a 12.2 cm mortar shell. School is also used as a kindergarten. 9 civilians injured including a 4 year old boy. Unknown if the casualties were at the school or in other areas under bombardment. Very strong fighting commenced approximately 15:30 local time in the area of Donetsk Airport
May 28th combat SITREP by “Juan”
Heavy bombardment at night and early morning in Rubezhnoye in Lugansk Oblast. Civilian casualties unknown. More scattered fighting and probes around Slavyansk last night and this morning. Donetsk residents are actively assisting the Fed units in building barricades on city streets and setting up fighting positions. Reports of more fighting in the Donetsk Airport area last night and dawn this morning. Terminal at Donetsk Airport heavily damaged in the fighting
My apologies to all those who commented today
Guys, there are good times, bad times and terrible times. I just had a major problem happen in my home (a teenager acting up in the worst way and at the worst time) and when I came back to my computer I managed to press the wrong button and delete the last 50 comments posted (across all posts, I think). I was really upset and I screwed-up. I tried to
Does Russia really need the Ukrainian military-industrial complex?
I really like the Asia Times, but the article I saw in it today left me wondering how it could have gotten past the editors. The article in question is Ukraine: A military-industrial complex to die for by Gregory J Moore. While I most definitely encourage you to read the article in its entirety, its thesis is simple: the Ukrainian military-industrial complex is, if not vital, then at least crucial
Clarifications about certain issues mentioned in today’s SITREP
As is often the case, my previous SITREP has touched superficially on a number of issues which have raised some eyebrows and, since I have the time, I feel that it might be a good thing to clarify my position on some of them.A “limited” Russian military optionFirst, this is clearly a possibility whose main quality is that is falls short of a full-scale ground operation. However, those who advocate
“Flash” SITREP update from “Juan”
Tanks are on the move west of Slavyansk, destination unknown, at least a Rota (Company, ergo 16 tanks if at full strength, which is doubtful. Normally any serving tank Rota will be at 75% max at any given time as tanks are under repair, and normally 60%. Under combat conditions it is 50% or less.) with accompanying support units such as BTR’s and BMP’s plus infantry. Unit unknown. Unconfirmed information
Ukraine SITREP May 27th, 14:54 UTC/Zulu: assault on Donetsk and a look from above
First, a “SITREP from the front lines” by “Juan” Donetsk Airport freight terminal is burned and partly destroyed. Kiev is believed to be in control of the airport at this time. Damage to the terminal building is unknown. The attempt to seize Donetsk Airport was reinforced by Vostok Brigade. Casualties were heavy in the brigade but numbers unknown. The Vostok Brigade wounded being transported to hospital in a truck were
SITREP from the front lines by “Juan”
This is the latest “SITREP from the front lines” sent by “Juan” to whom I am immensely grateful for sharing this information with us. The Saker ——- A lot has happened since I wrote the last items for the Saker. The situation in the south and east of Ukraine is quite fluid and changes by the hour. Early on 24 May 2014 strong movements of Nats units began, converging on
The Chechens and Ramzan Kadyrov – reply to a reader
After my recent post about Chechnia and the hope it gives me, one reader posted a particularly interesting comment which, I believe, deserves a full answer. One thing which particularly motivated me to write this more detailed reply rather that a shot comment-reply was that what this reader wrote almost exactly mirrored my own thoughts just a few years ago. So in replying to this reader I have the opportunity
The “other West” – one more example
Alexander Solzhenitsyn liked to say that “one teaspoon of sea water gives you the taste of the ocean”. Today I would like to post here the text of a letter to the Russian embassy in Germany by a private person which is exactly that: the letter of (only) one person. However, the feelings which it conveys are, I believe, shared by a lot of people in the “West”. It would
Russia, Chechnia and the Ukraine – the *choice* to keep hoping for the impossible
As you probably know, the two Russian journalists who worked for the LifeNews, Oleg Sidyakin and Marat Saichenko, were finally freed and brought back home via Grozny in Chechnia. You might even have heard that the President of Chechnia, Ramzan Kadyrov, played a special role in their liberation. I think that the importance of this event might be under-estimated by many observers and I want to briefly comment on that.It
