Ukraine War Upd. EXTRA: Ivashov's Predictions, Kherson Canals, Prigozhin's Mockery
Table of Contents 📖
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"Once we cross into Ukrainian territory they will receive all the weapons that they need and thousands of volunteers will join the army to fight."
Hello Team!
Jonathan provides an update on frontline activity, noting reports of movement along the Zaporizhzhia front south of Orykiv. Russian sources claim attacks have been repelled. There is also ongoing activity in the Belgorod region, with the Russian Volunteer Corps and Freedom of Russia Legion maintaining a presence in Novaya Tavolzhanka despite Russian claims they have been pushed out. Shebekino continues to come under artillery fire.
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Significance of Small Attacks Along Frontline
Jonathan analyzes how the numerous small attacks, raids and operations along the frontline, from Zaporizhzhia to Donetsk to Belgorod, serve to distract Russian attention and forces. This "whack-a-mole" effect makes it harder for Russia to concentrate on identifying and targeting Ukrainian troops and equipment being prepared for the anticipated larger counteroffensive. Without these distractions, Russia would have an easier time hunting down Ukraine's offensive buildup.
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Retired Russian General's Prescient Warning Against War
Retired Colonel General Leonid Ivashov, chairman of the All-Russia Officers' Assembly, sent an open letter to Putin before the invasion warning against war with Ukraine. Despite his patriotic and pro-Soviet views, Ivashov predicted with stunning accuracy that an invasion would lead to tens of thousands dead, a partisan insurgency, and decades of military confrontation that would be an "awful geopolitical catastrophe" and spell the end of Russia. He called for professionals with relevant expertise to replace politicians in key government roles - a "technocracy". His letter demonstrates that there were Russians, even among the political and military elite, who vocally opposed the war.
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Devastating Impact of Kakhovka Dam Destruction on Agriculture
The Dnipro River and its reservoir feed a network of canals that have transformed the arid plains of southern Ukraine and Crimea into productive agricultural regions since the 1950s. The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam means these canals will now run dry, causing the region to revert to its pre-canal state of frequent droughts, dust storms and crop failures. This will devastate the agricultural economies of southern Ukraine and Crimea. Crimea previously saw a drastic change in vegetation within just two years after Ukraine cut off the water supply in 2014. Rebuilding the dam will take a long time, and conditions may worsen due to climate change. This will affect global food prices and hit the world's poorest the hardest.
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Ukraine's Sabotage Network Inside Russia
According to a CNN report citing US intelligence sources, Ukraine has cultivated a network of agents inside Russia to carry out sabotage, including providing them with drones to stage attacks. These pro-Ukrainian agents are believed to be behind the drone attack on the Kremlin in early May. Ukraine has established smuggling routes to get drones and components into Russia. While the extent of President Zelensky's involvement is unclear, US officials believe Ukraine's intelligence services are involved. There has been an uptick in mysterious fires and explosions targeting strategic sites across Russia in recent weeks.
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Wrap Up
Jonathan notes that drones are effectively becoming a type of missile or munition that can be used flexibly for various missions. He wraps up by thanking viewers for their support and promising more updates to come, possibly touching on an additional topic in the next video.
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