Trenches, Peninsulas, War Crimes, & a Crimean Testimonial
Table of Contents 📖
| Topic ID | Topic Title | Timestamp |
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"I'm absolutely positive the fires are a big problem for the Russians."
Hello Team!
Jonathan introduces the video, explaining it is a pre-recorded extra update for Christmas Eve. He has two main videos to cover with a lot to discuss.
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Ukrainian forces on Kinburn Spit
- The first video focuses on Ukrainian forces located on the Kinburn Spit/Peninsula in the Kherson region.
- They are in a trench network with a direct view of the peninsula, able to spot for artillery and observe Russian movements.
- The soldiers discuss their responsibilities, which include defense, observation, artillery adjustment, and taking down airborne targets like Shahed drones.
- Controlling the spit allows Russia to block ship access from Mykolaiv and Kherson ports to the Black Sea.
- The well-constructed trenches provide the soldiers protection. Overall, it provides an interesting insight into the operations opposite the Kinburn Peninsula.
Avdiivka Trench Network & Commander
- The second video is set in a trench network around Avdiivka, close to Russian positions.
- It focuses on the young commander who is an expert in military matters. Despite his age, he has the respect of the older soldiers he commands.
- The trenches are well-constructed with features like drainage and ammunition storage. They are built to defend against Russian attack, including a mined trench to trap the enemy.
- The commander discusses the strong spirit of the Ukrainian soldiers compared to the Russians. He credits his "hunter vs. victim" mentality, learned from the British, for their success.
- The video provides a fascinating look at the lives and camaraderie of this tight-knit fighting unit.
Russian Disciplinary Measures
An intercepted call presents evidence of intensifying disciplinary measures among Russian troops, namely execution by shooting for being caught drunk or on drugs. In one case, three soldiers were shot in the legs and will be court-martialed. The measures have escalated from shooting in the legs to a "shoot to kill" order. This highlights the Russian military's lack of compunction in using violence against their own troops.
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Fires in Russia
- An analysis by Rybar shows there were 36 large fires in Russia from Oct-Dec 2022 compared to 29 in the same period in 2021, a 25% increase.
- Rybar suggests this could be due to negligence or deliberate sabotage, given the military-related nature of many of the facilities hit.
- Jonathan disputes Rybar's characterization of the numbers as "roughly equal" given the 25% rise.
- He notes these figures only cover large fires, not small ones like the 5 train fires in the past month alone.
- Jonathan is absolutely positive the fires are a big problem for the Russians.
Scale of Russian War Crimes
Jonathan addresses pro-Russian commenters who accuse him of bias, explaining his pro-Ukraine stance is the clear moral position, comparing it to being neutral about Hitler in WWII. He argues one must look at the sheer scale and institutionalization of Russian war crimes (54 torture chambers, 5000 alleged torture cases, 855 war crimes against children investigations) compared to the likely small number on the Ukrainian side. While Ukraine has likely committed some war crimes, it pales in comparison to the "repertoire of horrors" inflicted by Russia. Jonathan is disgusted by Russia's actions and annoyed by those trying to create false equivalencies.
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Tokmak Situation
There are claims Russians are pulling back from Tokmak, a key transport hub north of Melitopol that has been heavily targeted by Ukraine. However, it appears Russia has built up defenses all around Tokmak, expecting a potential attack.
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Crimean Testimonial
- Jonathan recommends the latest episode of the "Ukraine: The Latest" podcast, featuring an interview with Crimean TikTok creator Kazenia Solo Duchina.
- She discusses how the war really began in 2014 with Russian information warfare and influence campaigns in Crimea.
- This included Russian cultural centers, recruitment of students to Russian universities in exchange for participating in separatist activities, and other soft power efforts to build pro-Russian sentiment.
- In hindsight, she realizes this was an orchestrated effort by Russia to brainwash Crimeans and build sympathies.
- She also notes pro-Ukrainians have mostly left Russian-occupied areas, leaving a distilled pro-Russian population, which will create challenges for Ukraine when liberating these territories.
- Kazenia celebrated when the Kerch Bridge was blown up, seeing it as a monument to Putin's Russia. Jonathan finds her perspective absolutely fascinating.
Wrap up
Jonathan wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and encourages raising a glass to those suffering on both sides in Ukraine as a result of Putin's senseless war. He thanks his audience for their support and promises more content after the holidays, though perhaps not on Christmas Day itself.
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