Ukraine War Upd. EXTRA: Zindans, Ryan in Mutiny Effects, Hungary, & Tractors
Table of Contents 📖
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"If you're Russian and you're not given the context... the assumption is this is the Russians doing an amazing job, look we're blowing up Ukrainian stuff, actually it signifies them losing ground."
Hello Team!
Jonathan introduces the video as an extra update to provide more tidbits and nuggets of information to help viewers better understand the war in Ukraine. There is a torrent of information to sift through on a daily basis.
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Mick Ryan on the impacts of the Wagner mutiny
Retired Australian general Mick Ryan shares his assessment of how the Wagner mutiny will impact Russia's fighting power in 3 key areas:
- Physical aspects - The mutiny will deny Russia some of its best shock troops in eastern Ukraine. News just out that Wagner will not be taking part in the war anymore, removing 25,000 troops (possibly 5,000 elite) from the front lines. This makes Russia's ability to defend much harder.
- Intellectual elements - The mutiny is unlikely to lead to the removal of Defense Minister Shoigu or General Gerasimov, and may have actually solidified their positions. However, Prigozhin openly undermined the strategic rationale for the war, which will corrode Russian fighting power.
- Moral elements - There will be deep discomfort and unease among Russian military leaders about loyalty and who they can trust. This deficit in trust will degrade morale of leaders and soldiers in the field.
Insights on Hungary's political situation
Jonathan shares comments from Hungarian viewers to get a sense of what is happening in Hungary and how people feel:
- The mainstream media is controlled by the government with few independent outlets. Those without access to independent media have a narrow, blurred view.
- Many Hungarians support Ukraine and there are humanitarian groups helping. But the government is a kleptocracy playing political games.
- Hungary has a history of losing territory and oppression of Hungarian minorities in other countries, which makes it hard for nationalists to support Ukraine. Prime Minister Orban has played into this with stunts like wearing a scarf showing Hungary's old borders.
- Orban has embraced authoritarianism and clamped down on free media, but he still has support, especially among conservatives. The opposition is seen as incompetent.
Russian army's use of "zindans" to imprison its own soldiers
Another open-air dungeon or "zindan", a medieval form of punishment, has been exposed in occupied Donetsk. A Russian commander opposed to the practice says they are used widely to imprison soldiers for petty offenses like drunkenness or leaving positions. Prisoners are beaten, denied food/water, and extorted for money that goes to commanders' pockets. The commander says his own men, mostly unhealthy, older civilians, are willing to fight because refusing means imprisonment or execution by your own side. He calls the idea that mobilized men are "charged up rambos" a misconception.
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Ukrainian farmer modifies tractor into remote-controlled demining tool
A Ukrainian farmer has innovatively modified a tractor into a remotely controlled demining tool. The tractor has a defensive wall on the front as it shifts and plows, hopefully detonating any mines. Being remotely controlled means if it hits a catastrophic mine, no human driver will be harmed. Jonathan notes the technological advancements in tractors and foresees a future of autonomous tractors doing farm work. He references research he did on tractors for a book series he has written.
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Wrap up
Jonathan thanks viewers for watching and reminds them to like, subscribe and share. He expresses appreciation for channel members and contributors on Buy Me a Coffee, thanking many of them by name. He signs off wishing everyone well.
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