Ukraine War Upd. EXTRA: Taking Crimea, Russian SIGINT in Europe, Demining, & Wild Boar
Table of Contents 📖
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"This war began with the Russian invasion of Crimea. This war will end with the liberation of Crimea."
Hello Team!
Jonathan introduces the video, which will cover a "smorgasbord" of topics related to the war in Ukraine. He mentions an interesting interview with retired Air Vice Marshal Sean Bell on Times Radio that he will discuss.
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Can Ukraine retake Crimea and the Donbas?
In the interview, Sean Bell argues that it would be very difficult for Ukraine to retake Crimea militarily, as Russia sees it as a "jewel in the crown" due to the warm water port of Sevastopol. The Donbas is also challenging due to the pro-Russian sentiment in the region. Bell suggests that this is a war Ukraine cannot win, but also a war Russia cannot lose. Eventually, both sides will become exhausted, and a new line will be drawn on the map, likely with pressure from the West on Ukraine and China on Russia to reach a compromise.
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Is it possible to liberate Crimea?
Jonathan shares a thread by Thomas Theiner arguing that while liberating Crimea is not easy, it is not impossible. The key is to first decisively crush Russian forces in the south. Once this is achieved, Ukrainian forces can advance rapidly through the flat terrain of northern Crimea. Russian troops would struggle to defend Crimea due to Ukraine's long-range artillery and the inability of the Russian Navy and Air Force to provide support. Theiner concludes that the war began with the Russian invasion of Crimea and will end with its liberation.
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Russian SIGINT nests in Europe
An investigation by V-Square reveals that Russian diplomatic facilities across Europe are being used for signals intelligence (SIGINT) gathering. Specialized equipment, including antennas and containers suspected of housing sophisticated surveillance devices, has been found on the roofs of Russian embassies in Warsaw, Budapest, and other European capitals. In response to Russian aggression, European countries have expelled hundreds of Russian diplomats, many of whom are believed to be intelligence officers. This has significantly inhibited Russia's intelligence gathering capabilities.
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Russian vehicles using wood and the importance of MRAPs
Images show Russian BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles using wooden armor on their hulls, likely as a makeshift solution. In contrast, a US-made MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle in Ukraine is shown to have survived a mine blast with its crew compartments intact, highlighting the superior protection offered by Western military vehicles.
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Demining efforts and wild boar rescue
Jonathan discusses a demining excavator that uses high-speed rotating hammers to clear minefields, protecting the driver from explosions. He also shares a heartwarming story of a Ukrainian defender nursing a wild boar piglet whose mother was killed by a Russian shell, emphasizing the compassion shown by Ukrainian soldiers amidst the war.
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Wrap up
Jonathan thanks his audience for their support and encourages them to like, subscribe, and share the video. He also mentions his dystopian book series, "Survival of the Fittest," available on Amazon for those looking for a good read.
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