An aircraft was reportedly spotted over
#Tehran
,
#Iran
- initially ID’d as an F-5E
A friend filtered the pic & reveled what appears to be swept wings more inline with an F-14 Tomcat - which is overlayed (4). Iran has a small number of the F-14s in service - acquired in the 70s
(Today) Turkish President, Erdogan: “The return of Crimea to Ukraine, of which it is an inseparable part, is essentially a requirement of international law”
“Turkey does not recognize the annexation […] openly stating from the first day that this step is illegitimate & illegal”
An image is circulating on telegram and Russian media purported to be of US veterans Alex Drueke, 39 and Andy Huynh, 27. Both have been MIA in Ukraine and assumed to have been captured by RUS or RUS back forces.
Captain of the 2nd Rank Volodymyr Khromchenkov has reportedly died in hospital. He was the commanding officer of the Alligator landing ship, Saratov, destroyed in Berdyansk.
Khromchenkov was notorious for his defection from the Ukrainian Navy in 2014.
Belarusians reported a "brutal attack" by Polish border guards at border crossing 667. The brutal attack involved shining flashlights in the Belerusian's eyes and the deployment of a tactical slingshot asset.
This is the best propaganda I have seen to date.
Russian media is reporting a fire at a RUS customs building at the Ukrainian / Russian border crossing at Nekhoteyevka, Belgorod Oblast, RUS
50.34203, 36.29098
#Ukraine
: The railway administration building in occupied Donetsk is still on fire
Local authorities claim the fire is the result of a Ukrainian strike
🧵- Who is Yevgeny Prigozhin (Putin's Chef)?
In 1981, a court in Leningrad sentenced him to 12 years for his connections to organized crime. The charges included robbery, fraud, & most disturbingly, the prostitution of minors
He served 9 years
1/11
Looks like Wagner sustained casualties in Popasna. Notably, photos were published a few days ago showing Yevgeny Prigozhin at a building in the city, which some dubbed as Wagner’s headquarters.
Ukrainian forces captured this 7.62 Pulemyot Maxima PM1910/1930 - originally developed in 1910. Based on its history in the Russo-Ukraine War, I’d bet this is somewhere in the Donbas
Insane that Maxim guns are still in use, especially with the original gun shield & wooden wheels
Russian NRS Burdock portable radar spotted by a Ukrainian UAV - likely a Wagner operated near Bakhmut
Ironically, the system was designed to detect UAVs. It is designed to be networked with additional nodes & can be paired with a SOZ-EW anti-UAV turret
In closing, Prigozhin is a disgusting human being. He is a sex trafficker of minors, a hotdog salesman, & a war profiteer
The US State Department is offering $10 million for his capture and he is wanted by the FBI
In short, Fuck this guy
11/11
Soldiers with patches of the flags of
#Mali
,
#Palistine
, &
#Ossetia
apparently fighting on behalf of
#Russia
RUS tried to use Wagner's footprint to recruit in Africa w/ limited success. Heavy losses in Ossetian units early in the war ended support for RUS
No idea re: Palestine
Russian media is reporting that a warehouse in Moscow's Bogorodskoye district is currently on fire. Those same reports indicate that the fire has engulfed more than 33,000 square meters.
Russia’s MoD claims they didn’t lose a single vehicle during their retreat from the West Bank of the Dnipro
There are more videos like this one and more to come
BLUF: Leopards will end up in
#Ukraine
I was skeptical, but I can't see Germany backing down now. I'm celebrating the best way I know how - a NATO wave edit.
Ukrainian solders operating a French-made MO-120-RT heavy mortar.
#Ukraine
has at least 4 in service - provided by Belgium
The interesting part is the munition; however, I haven't been able to identify it
Ukrainian Mi-8s loaded with rocket pods heading to the from. Again flying very low NOE along the road to avoid targeting
Pretty sure that without a blinker, that was an illegal merge
#Poland
’s military is erecting concertina wire obstacles along their border with
#Russia
’s Kaliningrad exclave
In July, Poland completed a 186 km 5.5 meter fence along it’s border with Belarus
In
#Soledar
,
#Ukraine
's air reconnaissance group S.A.R.G. used drones to track a number of Russian soldiers, likely under Wagner, & waited until they were consolidated to call in a HIMARS strike.
Fairly confident this took place at 48.68862, 38.05369
Date unknown
The largest Wagner Group telegram channel posted this image (left) of their contractors posing with a sledgehammer in Kherson Oblast today
Anyone who follows the Wagner knows this is a reference to the group's savage torture & killing of Hamadi Bouta (right) in Syria in 2017
Heads up, if you see the first image floating around claiming to show damage to the Ivan Khurs, Project 18280 Surveillance Ship, it's not. It's the aftermath of the Oct 2000 attack on the USS Cole. I added a second image for context.
Video from earlier this month shows the
#Ukraine
's State Border Service rebuff a ground assault on the city's largest rail yard - purportedly by Wagner forces
Fairly confident this is at the easternmost portion of the train depot
48.69068, 38.07324
#Lithuania
announced it will extend the existing State of Emergency in its regions bordering
#Russia
&
#Belarus
through at least December
The current order is set to expire on 9/15. The new emergency order will need to be approved by the country’s parliament
This is the first time my account has been locked, and it just happened to coincide with my retweet of a thread detailing the recent arbitrary bans of journalists reporting on Elon
Might just be a fluke, but that’s a hell of a coincidence.
🧵: A new image (1) of Chinese forces carrying a mace-like club, "the Wolf Fang" has been circulating
Much of the analysis indicates that these are intended for use on the
#Indian
-
#China
border - I don't think that's the case. Images 2 & 3 are from '16 & '18 respectively
1/10
The F-14s left operational in
#Iran
likely rely on the cannibalization of other planes for spare parts
Since the mid 80s, Iran has used the F-14 as an ISR platform due to their radar systems. A US official in ‘84 said they were ‘mini-AWACS’ for Iran
Russian chatrooms are not happy about recent Ukrainian strikes on their supply chain
The translation includes this gem: “you bastards, you can’t find 4 HIMARS. And what will happen when there are 8 of them? Let’s pack up and get out of there.”
Russian media and the North Ossetian Emergency Ministry are reporting a 400-square meter fire at a shopping center in Vladikavkaz, Russia, the capital of North Ossetia-Alania
Impossible to tie any one fire to arson, but RUS obviously has an issue with fires
43.03757, 44.64357
Another image of the Pantsir located near
#Putin
's Novo-Ogaryovo Residence west of Moscow,
#Russia
Novo-Ogaryovo location: 55.73365, 37.19826
I am of the opinion that this is part of a larger propaganda effort to frame the war as an existential threat
Azov SSO-Kharkiv member sporting the three sword Tryzub patch
A reminder that this is not the Azov portrayed by Russian propoganda - they are UA Special Forces driven by loyalty to their countrymen in the face of RUS aggression, not Nazism
Also, cute cat
Multiple sources are now reporting Wagner's infamous Vladimir Andanov (Vakha) has been killed in Ukraine. Vakha was identified as partaking in the killing of civilians in Lybia in 2019.
Left: "The plan. 1. Find and kill everyone"
Right: Image posted hours after the '19 murders
Today one of the most famous Wagner mercenary, nicknamed "Vaha", was killed in Ukraine. He fought in Donbass in 2014-16 (where he executed prisoners of war), but also in Libya & Syria.
I've noticed a concerning trend recently. Just because someone acknowledges facets of the conflict that make you uncomfortable, does not make them a Russian propagandist or anti-Ukrainian
These factors all play into Ukrainian calculus & that of the countries supporting them
1/3
Reportedly the work of Ukraine's 30th Mechanized Brigade near Izium. That's a hell of a turret toss
Given the size of the explosion, I feel like there is more to the story
Prigozhin either raised or 'found' the funding to open the high-end Old Customs House restaurant
Soon after he converted an old boat on the Vyatka River into the exclusive New Island restaurant - where Putin hosted French Pres Jacques Chirac in '01 and G. W. Bush in '02
3/11
The creation of Wagner Group is often credited to Demitri Utkin after their 1st actions in Ukrain in '14
After Wagner challenged US forces in '18 in Syria & suffered heavy losses, US intercepts showed Prigozhin was the one calling the shots
He was Wagner's owner/funding
7/11
Ignoring this doesn't do Ukraine any favors. Conversely, all of this needs to be considered when mapping a path to UA victory
UA has RUS on the back foot & they appear desperate, which may be dangerous
Nonetheless, I say give UA what they are asking for & call the RUS bluff
3/3
Upon his release in '90, Prigozhin cornered the hotdog/sausage market in Leningrad (St Petersburg) - seriously
This coincided w/ Putin's exit from the KGB & ascension to the role of advisor to the Mayor Leningrad, Sobchak
Likely where Prigozhin & Putin first crossed paths
2/11
Ukrainian farmers and firefighters in Mykolaiv working to save crops of what looks like winter wheat
Russia has intentionally targeted UA fields with incendiary weapons
While the use of incendiaries in and of itself is not a war crime under CCW 1980, the targeting of crops is
This is not what winning looks like:
#Putin
has fired RUS Col-General, Alexander Chaiko, Commander of the Eastern Military District after RUS losses in Kherson
The news comes after Col-General Zhuravlyov, Western military district commander was sacked for the loss of Lyman
Prigozhin made close connections with Sobchak's bodyguard Viktor Zolotov who is now director of the Rosgvardiya & Putin's former security Roman Tsepov who was assassinated in '04 via radiation poisoning after a visit to an FSB office
Prigozhin was now legit by RUS standards
4/11
Russian media are reporting the crash of a Russian IL-76 plane in Ryazan, Russia. RUS sources indicate 2 dead & 5-7 injured
Would not be surprised if this was an IL-78 tanker. Ryaza's Dyagilevo airbase is home to the 203 OAP, which operates several IL-78s and IL-78Ms
As Russia struggles to mobilize & Wagner and other irregulars continue to mount losses, the groups have been forced to drop their standards & engage in more aggressive recruitment strategies.
10/11
RUS PMC Wagner is continuing its recruitment push. They often refer to themselves as an "orchestra" or "musicians" & use this language to obscure their purpose
On theme, they are looking for "newly-minted musicians for tours abroad" & the "best special effects at concerts"
1/9
Since then, Prigozhin's ties have only become more obvious
As for Utkin, no one seems to know where he is. Last we heard was '17 when he was awarded a role in Prigozhin's Concord org
Prigozhin appeared in the Donbas on 4/22 & again in Popasna just a few days ago...
8/11
He continued to work his way further into the RUS security apparatus
Note: he is the only civilian in the first picture. His organized crime history & lack of experience lead to ill-will w/ MoD
His military contracts take funding from MoD & elevated him to oligarch class
6/11
#Russia
's
#Wagner
Group targeting
#USA
military veterans for recruitment
Lots to unpack here in terms of how they are going about it. Word to the wise, don't join
CC:
@DirtyJerseyBets
Prigozhin leveraged his connections with Putin & the Siloviki to win lucrative contracts - starting with education catering & his Concord Culinary facility, which was financed by the state-owned Vnesheconombank
This was quickly followed by MoD catering contracts.
5/11
AP published an aerial video of the destruction in the frontline city of Marinka, Donetsk Oblast,
#Ukraine
This is how
#Russia
wages war. They level cities & settlements in the hopes that they will rule over the ruins
As reported earlier by Politico and others, two US citizens we killed recently in Ukraine along with a Swede and Canadian
The Foreign Legion has also confirmed
RIP Edward 🇸🇪 , Emile-Antoine 🇨🇦, Luke 🇺🇸 , & Brian 🇺🇸
Ukraine’s Foreign Legion has announced the names of 4 volunteers who were killed by a Russian tank shell while trying to evacuate a wounded soldier during combat near Siversk
- Edward Patrignani -Sweden
- Emile-Antoine Roy-Sirois -Canada
- Luke Lutsyshyn- USA
- Brian Young - USA
@RussianEmbassy
Coming a day after video of yet another barbaric Russian war crime was released.
Russia is a terrorist state and apparently proud of it.
Cars burning in the streets of
#Kyiv
after Russia struck the Ukrainian capital city for the first time in months
Russian strikes were also reported in Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro
#Ukraine
’s SBU arrested the American-born Russian propagandist & Red-Pilled dating coach Gonzalo Lira (
@GonzaloLira1968
)
He fucked around & he found out. We’ll see ya, bud 👋
Wagner linked Grey Zone has posted an execution video of Yevgeny Nuzhin, a prisoner recruited by the group earlier this year
Nuzhin surrendered to UA forces in Sept of this year. He was killed with a sledgehammer - a known Wagner symbol - after a possible prisoner exchange
Tomorrow The Hague is to issue a verdict in the
#MH17
criminal case
MH17 was shot down w/ a Russian Buk in ‘14 over rebel-held UA killing all 298 passengers. 3 RUS, including Igor Girkin, & a Ukrainian were tried in absentia for their roles in the downing
US Official: “We can confirm that North Korea has completed an initial arms delivery to Wagner, which paid for the equipment.”
This should remove all doubt that Wagner is essentially a branch of the Russian military
Not the flashy kit they were known for
More recent video of the fire at a gas filling station in the Vsevolozhsk region north of St. Petersburg,
#Russia
The fire has been burning for hours, but representatives from the Ministry of Emergency Situations only arrived recently
In St. Petersburg, Russia, a strong explosion reported in the Murino district, after which a fire started, - Russian media.
St. Petersburg governor said that the gas pipeline is on fire
Video of at least two Russian missiles destine for Ukraine failing and falling back to earth shortly after launch
Reportedly near Novaya Nelidovka, Belgorod Oblast, Russia
#Russia
's rep, Valery Stavitsky, got heated when saw the Ukrainian flag at the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC) conference in Turkey.
#Ukraine
's rep, Oleksandr Marikovskyi, was quick to respond
Russian diplomacy - It's not soft power, it's just soft-shell ego
US SecDef, Lloyd Austin: American M777 howitzers are already in Ukraine. 50 Ukrainians have attended the 6-day training course - plans to train 50 more. 18 M777 are already in Ukraine, 7 are being prepped, & 72 are on their way. $322 mm in aid for UA to purchase arms & ammo.
#Russia
’s MoD is back to chest pounding
A propaganda video, reportedly showing a Yars ICBM being loaded into a silo, likely in response to US plans to send a Patriot system to
#Ukraine
& an indication RUS knows it will undermine their strategy of targeting civ infrastructure
Russian Major General (equivalent to US brigadier general ⭐️ ) Simonov appears to have been killed near Izyum.
If true, this will be the 7th RU Major General killed in addition to two RU Lieutenant General (equivalent to US Major General (⭐️⭐️ ).
I typically don’t post about US domestic issues, but this time needs to be different. A sizable majority of the US pop supports “common sense” reforms - e.g. expanded background checks.
We need to make sure our reps know that, or elect new ones.
#GunOwnersForSafety
We now have over 25,000 tweets and we are at number five on trending with gun owners and former NRA members calling out how the NRA doesn’t speak for them.
Keep tweeting
#GunOwnersForSafety
We’re going to make this time different.
Russia is striking Zaporizhzhia again after killing 13 civilians Sunday morning
RUS continues with its schizophrenic strategy. Zaporizhzhia is the capitol of the Oblast - territory Russia claims to have annexed (illegally). This would be attack on civilians it considers citizens
Ukraine's 40th Separate Artillery Brigade scored several catastrophic kills on Russian armor on the southern front. Multiple catastrophic kills resulted in cook offs.
This is an absolutely devastating assault.
Date unknown.
#Niger
: former President Issoufou has tweeted his support for the release of President Bazoum & urged Nigeriens to respect the private property of their fellow citizens & foreigners
Issoufou has been involved in ongoing negotiations between the junta & ECOWAS/Western partners
Depuis le 26 juillet dernier,notre pays est entré dans une phase difficile de son histoire.
Face à la situation grave qui le secoue,je me suis employé,par diverses voies, à trouver une sortie de crise negociée permettant notamment de libérer le Président Mohamed Bazoum 1/4
🏳 Russian’s approaching Ukrainian forces under a white flag in a functioning BMP-2 to surrender
Cracks in Russian morale continue to show
Easy to imagine we will see more of this as RUS forces grow tired of fighting from the back foot & lose the will to continue
Finland has been moving closer and closer to NATO as a premier NATO Enhanced Opportunities Partner (EOP). Russia's invasion just pushed them over the edge.
Most just didn't see it coming.
#Ukraine
has reportedly launched a new domestic loitering munition
It has the same annoying hum as the Iranian Shahed 136s used by
#Russia
. Waiting for more footage.