First, links to two articles on the war by writers critical of Russia’s military performance. The first, via the Greanville Post this week, considers, among other things, the importance of operational railroad bridges across Ukraine’s Dnieper River to the war’s outcome. The second, published in the Berkshire Eagle on Jan. 7 and picked up then in this blog HERE, focuses on the importance, and vulnerability, of several dams across the Dnipro (same river, different spelling). Then, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, Tass, and the Moscow Times. — MCM
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The Bakmut diversion and the Donbas defensive — a view from Donetsk, by Russell Bentley | The Greanville Post Russia must immediately, fully and permanently prevent the movement of troops and weapons from the West to the Donbas Front. The primary method of transport for these troops and weapons is by rail, on railroad bridges across the Dnieper River. Forty bridges cross the Dnieper River in Ukraine, 12 of which are operational railroad bridges. To destroy some or all of these rail bridges (which should have been done in the first few days of the strategic military operation) will severely degrade the ability of UAF/NATO forces to rotate, reinforce and resupply the nazis attacking the Donbas Front. READ MORE . . .
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Russian dam-busters threaten Kyiv, by James Brooke | The Berkshire Eagle Ukrainian strategists fear the Kremlin could turn its attention to the dams across the Dnipro, a river about half the length of the Mississippi. These massive dams could be breached by conventional or nuclear bombs. The most devastating blow would be to the top of the cascade: the Kyiv Hydroelectric Power Plant. Located . . . READ MORE . . .
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Will there be a spring counteroffensive? Reported by Barry Hatton | AP Europe’s biggest armed conflict since World War II is poised to enter a new phase in the coming weeks. With no suggestion of a negotiated end to the 13 months of fighting between Russia and Ukraine, the Ukrainian defense minister said last week that a spring counteroffensive could begin as soon as April. Kyiv faces a key tactical question: How can . . . READ MORE . . .
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IMF approves $15.6 billion Ukraine loan. Report from Reuters. The International Monetary Fund said its executive board had approved a four-year $15.6 billion loan programme for Ukraine, part of a global $115 billion package to support the country’s economy as it battles Russia’s 13-month-old invasion. DIPLOMACY, WEAPONRY. A $2.6 billion U.S. military aid package that could include air surveillance radars, anti-tank rockets and fuel trucks for Ukraine’s fight against Russia is expected to be announced as soon as Monday, three U.S. officials said on Friday. READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine calls Russia UN presidency a ‘slap in the face.’ From AFP. Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba today joined a chorus of outrage from Western countries against Russia’s presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of April. “I urge the current UNSC members to thwart any Russian attempts to abuse its presidency,” he said, calling Russia “an outlaw on the UNSC.” READ MORE . . .
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Russian Aerospace Forces down a Ukrainian MiG-29 aircraft and a Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopter in DPR – Official. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russia’s Aerospace Forces downed a Ukrainian MiG-29 aircraft and an Mi-8 helicopter in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov said today. READ MORE . . .
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Hostage, signal or revenge? Spotlight on Russia’s reasons for arresting WSJ reporter, by Pyotr Kozlov | The Moscow Times The Russian authorities’ decision to arrest Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich on spying charges came under intense scrutiny Friday, with speculation over why the Kremlin decided to take a step that was not only provocative but has no analogy in post-Soviet Russia. As the dust settled on Gershkovich’s detention on Thursday . . . READ MORE . . .
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TO BE CONTINUED