Ukraine War Update NEWS: Overnight & Other News
Table of Contents 📖
| Topic ID | Topic Title | Timestamp |
|---|
"If Russia is losing so badly, why is Ukraine advancing so slowly?"
Hello Team!
Jonathan shares the latest Ukraine war news update, noting there is a lot of data to wade through at the moment, especially regarding military aid packages and geopolitical discussions. He's spending a lot of time going through different sources.
Return to top⤴️
🪦 DISCLAIMER FOR GENERAL STAFF LOSSES DATA
- These are real people with real lives and real families who love them. Don’t let the numbers sap your humanity.
- These numbers probably aren’t accurate but they’re the best we have and we don’t need them to be accurate to be indicative of patterns of activity.
- All losses are estimates. Losses cannot be counted with accuracy because of the conditions on the ground.
- Both sides would see it to be of their advantage to minimize their own losses maximize the other side’s losses.
- Neither side releases their losses but we have enough transparency from the Ukrainian side to have confidence in they are indicative.
- Personnel losses are hard to count. If a soldier gets injured, heals up, and returns to the front line only to get injured again, is that one loss or two? Also, how to deal with losses from PMC’s or soldiers fighting with RF from occupied territories?
- Equipment losses are hard to count. If an AA complex involves several parts and one part gets disabled, is that a loss, or a fraction of a loss? If a tank gets disabled, repaired, back into the fight, then disabled again, is that one lost tank or two?
- All recorded losses are vulnerable to multiple reporting. We have already seen numerous cases of multiple drones in the air reporting the same loss from different angles as multiple engagements.
- Losses are not always reported on the same day they occurred. It is frequent that drone losses are reported at least 24 hours after other terrestrial equipment losses. Certain losses may not be reported for days or weeks for military intelligence reasons.
Russian Losses
According to Ukrainian General Staff figures, Russia lost 490 personnel, 3 tanks, 15 armoured personnel vehicles, 41 artillery systems, 2 MLRS, 2 anti-aircraft warfare systems, 29 UAVs, 37 vehicles/fuel tanks, and 5 pieces of special equipment in the last day. The artillery losses are especially significant. Oryx visually confirmed 20 Russian losses vs 13 Ukrainian losses, a higher parity than seen recently. Andrew Perpetua's statistics show an 8:1 ratio in Ukraine's favour.
Return to top⤴️
Scooby-Doo Vans
Russia is running low on the "loaf" vans they use to replace tactical trucks, leading to rising prices. This is impacting their ability to transport personnel and equipment to the front lines. However, Jonathan doesn't think it will significantly demotorize the Russian economy as claimed by some.
Return to top⤴️
Russian Losses on the Front Lines
First-person accounts from Russian soldiers reveal heavy losses in failed assaults, with only a small fraction of units surviving. In one case, out of 48 men in an assault squad, only 7 returned. Many Russian brigades/regiments are no longer combat effective due to KIA, MIA, WIA and POW losses, estimated at 1-2 brigades per day. Lack of recon, artillery support and poor tactics are contributing factors.
Return to top⤴️
Drone Operator Skills
Footage shows the impressive skills of Ukrainian drone operators, flying through obstacles to strike a small target. This highlights how drones are being used effectively for reconnaissance and precision strikes.
Return to top⤴️
Crimea Attacked
Ukraine launched its biggest ever drone and missile attack on Russian-occupied Crimea overnight, targeting multiple cities and military sites including the Saki airbase. Over 20 explosions were reported. Russia claims 19 drones were shot down. The attack likely involved Neptune missiles and aimed to overload air defenses. Significant damage and casualties are reported, with estimates of 30+ Russian personnel killed at Saki airbase alone, along with destruction of planes and air defense systems. The attack demonstrates Ukraine's growing long-range strike capabilities.
Return to top⤴️
Russia's Cruise Missile Attack
Russia retaliated with its largest cruise missile attack in months, launching 43 missiles from strategic bombers. Ukraine claims 36 were shot down. Targets included energy infrastructure, civilian buildings, and oddly a Pepsi plant. A hotel in Cherkasy was destroyed with 20 people trapped in rubble. The attack caused power outages and fires. Notably, no submarine-launched missiles were used, possibly due to the subs being moved after the Crimea attack. The human cost is highlighted in the story of a Ukrainian veteran killed at his new civilian job.
Return to top⤴️
Romania's Extended No-Fly Zone
Romania has extended its no-fly zone on the Ukraine border out to 20-30km in response to increased Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports. Wreckage from Russian drones has been found in Romania. It's unclear if this no-fly zone extends into Ukraine itself, which could allow Romania to help protect key areas with NATO air defenses.
Return to top⤴️
Offensive at Vuhledar
After weeks of infantry assaults, Ukraine's 82nd Air Assault Brigade is now attacking with armour, including US Strykers, German Marders, and MaxxPro MRAPs, towards Vuhledar. They have crossed Russian anti-tank obstacles and are expanding control, likely setting the stage for a bigger push in this area.
Return to top⤴️
Russia's Struggles
A Russian parliamentarian's proposal to mobilize the unemployed, put women, children and the elderly to work 12-15 hour days, and eliminate days off to support the war effort highlights Russia's desperate situation and lack of manpower. Meanwhile, video shows a Ukrainian Su-24M jet flying extremely low to avoid radar detection, a tactic necessitated by Russian air defenses.
Return to top⤴️
Wrap up
Jonathan hopes the update was useful and informative. In honour of New Zealand, he signs off with "Kia kaha" while wearing a silver fern shirt.
Return to top⤴️
