Putin says Russia has captured nearly 5,000 square km in Ukraine this year, and it immediately sparks a question: is that really as impressive as it sounds? Let’s put this into perspective. That’s roughly a 70km by 70km square. It’s not insignificant, sure, but when you zoom out and consider the scale of the war, the price being paid, it really makes you pause and think.
This area of land, it’s almost insignificant compared to the overall size of Ukraine. It’s just a tiny fraction of Ukraine’s total landmass. If we’re being generous, it’s like conquering a small town for a truly staggering cost.… Continue reading
In an effort to boost recruitment numbers for the war in Ukraine, several Russian regions are dramatically increasing financial incentives for new military recruits. These regions are offering significantly higher sign-up bonuses, with some quadrupling the payments, highlighting a shift away from purely “ideological” recruitment campaigns. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggests that these efforts are increasingly resembling complex business models rather than ideologically driven campaigns, employing financial incentives, deception, and coercion. These bonuses, often equivalent to several years’ worth of the average regional salary, are in addition to the existing federal payments and the soldiers’ monthly salary, indicating the severity of Russia’s manpower challenges.
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An explosion damaged a railway line in Russia’s Leningrad region on October 7, causing a train carrying military cargo to derail. Ukrainian intelligence sources identified the blast as occurring on the Stroganovo–Mshinskaya route and attributed the operation to local partisans. The incident temporarily halted rail traffic, forcing rerouting of trains and causing delays. The disruption is believed to have a significant impact on Russian logistics and military capabilities, as the railway is a crucial part of military transport infrastructure.
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On October 6th, authorities in Tyumen, Russia, reported a drone attack within the city’s Antipino residential district. According to officials, three UAVs were detected and downed, with emergency services preventing detonation and no resulting explosions or fires. Despite these claims, reports from the Russian Telegram channel Astra suggest that local residents heard explosions and shared videos depicting fire engines. The Ukrainian military has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident, which occurred near a major oil refinery.
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Overnight strikes on October 5th saw Russia deploy 549 weapons systems built with over 102,000 foreign-made components, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky accused nine countries, including the United States, China, and the United Kingdom, of failing to prevent their technology from reaching Russia, citing the use of foreign-made components in missiles and drones. He highlighted specific examples such as U.S.-made technology in Iskander and Kinjal missiles. The attacks resulted in casualties in Lviv and Zaporizhzhia, and overall, the attacks involved approximately 500 drones and 50 missiles striking Ukrainian territory.
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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russians must experience the consequences of the blackouts inflicted upon Ukraine by Russian strikes on its energy infrastructure. He emphasized the need for multidirectional pressure on Russia, including increased pressure from Western nations and the Global South, to end the war. Zelenskyy also indicated that Ukrainian strikes on Russia, using domestically produced weapons, target military and energy facilities that fund the war. He believes that when Russians become uncomfortable, they will challenge their leadership.
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Putin says Tomahawk supply to Ukraine would destroy U.S. relations – well, that certainly sets the stage, doesn’t it? It seems the potential for sending those long-range, ship-launched missiles to Ukraine has ruffled some feathers, and by some feathers, I mean the ones belonging to the Kremlin. This whole situation brings up a lot of interesting points, and it’s worth unpacking them to understand what might be at stake.
The immediate reaction to this statement seems to be a collective shrug of the shoulders. “What relations?” seems to be the prevailing sentiment. Many feel that whatever relationship existed between the U.S.… Continue reading
Russian forces have reportedly utilized cavalry units in assault operations against Ukrainian positions, as confirmed by Ukrainian troops. During a recent offensive, a precision drone strike destroyed one such unit. The footage released by Ukrainian forces shows the Russian cavalry detachment attempting to storm defensive positions, later using their horses for cover, a tactic rendered ineffective by aerial surveillance. Analysts believe the deployment of mounted troops reflects a combination of tactical improvisation and desperation. The initiative marks Russia’s first revival of cavalry tactics since such formations were disbanded in 1955.
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Overnight on October 4, a drone attack ignited a fire at an oil refinery in Kirishi, Russia, which was confirmed by regional officials. Local reports and photos indicated an explosion and flames at the facility, identified by sources as one of Russia’s largest, opened in 2017. This marks at least the fourth time the refinery has been targeted, with previous attacks attributed to Ukraine, although there has been no immediate comment on this instance. Ukrainian forces have increasingly targeted Russia’s oil industry, viewing refineries as legitimate military targets supporting the ongoing conflict.
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During a Valdai Club meeting, Vladimir Putin responded to Donald Trump’s “paper tiger” assessment of Russia by suggesting Trump “go and deal with it.” Putin asserted Russia’s confidence in its military capabilities, highlighting its current conflict with NATO-backed forces in Ukraine. Putin’s remarks followed Trump’s statement on Truth Social, where the former US president questioned Russia’s strength after meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker