Ukraine drones attacking Crimea, as reported by Moscow, is a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. The very act underscores the shifting dynamics of the war, with Ukraine increasingly employing asymmetric warfare tactics to disrupt Russian supply lines and military operations within territory Russia considers its own, despite Crimea’s internationally recognized status as Ukrainian. This raises questions about the evolving strategies on both sides and the potential for further escalation.
The reported drone attacks on Crimea highlight the vulnerability of Russian assets even within territories they control. It suggests a capability on the part of Ukraine to strike strategically important targets, potentially disrupting Russian military logistics and further degrading their ability to sustain their offensive.… Continue reading
The Biden administration is urging Ukraine to significantly expand its military by lowering the conscription age to 18 and increasing mobilization efforts, aiming to address a critical troop shortage. This push comes as Ukraine faces a massive manpower deficit against Russia, exacerbated by the arrival of North Korean troops in the Kursk region. While the U.S. has provided substantial military aid, it believes Ukraine needs to drastically increase its troop numbers to sustain the fight. However, Ukraine has expressed concerns that lowering the draft age could negatively impact its already strained economy and sees this pressure as a deflection from Western delays in providing necessary equipment.
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The UK government secretly supplied Ukraine with a significant number of Storm Shadow cruise missiles several weeks ago, preceding the public announcement authorizing Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied long-range missiles against Russian territory. This delivery, made under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, fulfilled a request from Kyiv following a depletion of their own long-range missile stocks. The exact number and delivery date remain undisclosed for operational security reasons. This action underscores the UK’s continued commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defense efforts against Russia’s ongoing invasion.
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Amidst escalating conflict in Ukraine and potential US withdrawal of support under a Trump presidency, discussions regarding deploying Western troops and private military companies to Ukraine have resurfaced. France and the UK are leading these sensitive, largely classified talks, with France initiating the troop deployment debate earlier this year. While facing opposition from some European nations, recent discussions between Prime Ministers Starmer and Macron have revitalized the proposal. This includes exploring increased defense cooperation, potentially utilizing private defense contractors like France’s DCI and its British counterpart, Babcock, for training and equipment maintenance in Ukraine.
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Colonel General Gennady Anashkin, commander of the South Forces Group, was dismissed from his post for allegedly falsifying reports on battlefield progress near Siversk, Donetsk. This dismissal, reported by Russian media and military bloggers, follows criticisms of misleading information resulting in significant Russian losses. While the Ministry of Defense cites a planned rotation, bloggers suggest the removal is due to inaccurate reports. The incident highlights the reliance on military bloggers for information amidst the ongoing conflict and Ukraine’s ongoing intense defense.
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Russia is actively recruiting Yemeni Houthi fighters for its war in Ukraine through a covert human trafficking operation, promising lucrative employment but instead forcing conscription. These recruits, often lured with promises of high-paying jobs and citizenship, are deployed to the front lines with minimal training. Simultaneously, North Korea has supplied over 10,000 soldiers and military hardware to Russia, indicating a broadening of Moscow’s reliance on foreign mercenaries to bolster its military efforts in Ukraine. The deals involve exchanges of resources, highlighting the Kremlin’s willingness to utilize diverse means to sustain its war effort.
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Russia launched an experimental hypersonic missile, the Oreshnik, striking a military facility in Dnipro, prompting emergency talks between NATO and Ukraine. Putin framed the attack as retaliation for Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied long-range missiles, claiming the Oreshnik, capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads, is unmatched globally and will continue to be tested. This escalation, described by Polish Prime Minister Tusk as a decisive phase of the war, has led to heightened security measures in Kyiv and sparked concerns amongst Western leaders about further Russian actions. The attack, while resulting in no reported fatalities in Dnipro, underscores the intensifying conflict and Russia’s demonstrable technological advancements in weaponry.
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Bild journalist Julian Röpcke posits that the November 21st Dnipro missile strike utilized a modified, non-explosive RS-26 Rubezh missile, citing video evidence of submunitions lacking explosions. Röpcke suggests the minimal damage supports the claim of a propaganda act rather than a military one. This contradicts some Western and Ukrainian assessments identifying the missile as a nuclear-capable ICBM, although the Kremlin confirmed the use of a different missile type. The conflicting reports highlight the difficulty in definitively identifying the weapon used.
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As of November 22nd, an estimated 60,000 Russian troops, augmented by approximately 11,000 North Korean soldiers, are concentrated in Russia’s Kursk Oblast. These forces aim to establish a buffer zone along the Sumy Oblast border, countering Ukraine’s August incursion. Ukrainian forces, having initially gained ground, are holding their positions in Kursk Oblast while Russian forces have retaken approximately half of the initially lost territory. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant Russian casualties, with over 7,900 killed, 12,200 wounded, and 717 captured in the three months since the offensive began.
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Following Russia’s missile strike on Dnipro, which utilized an intercontinental ballistic missile and prompted threats from Vladimir Putin against Western nations, China urged all involved parties to maintain calm and restraint. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasized the need for dialogue and consultation to de-escalate the situation and facilitate a political resolution to the Ukraine crisis. This call for restraint comes amidst reports of the attack’s damage to civilian infrastructure and Putin’s threats of retaliation. China’s stated position remains focused on achieving a ceasefire through peaceful means.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker