saw this on my feed - how true is this?
The Russian-Ukrainian War of 2022 (News and battle updates only)
- Thread starter Ember
- Start date
saw this on my feed - how true is this?
This reminds me of when in the 1970s the Americans took ballpoint pens to one of the multi national space stations and they wouldn't work in zero gravity, and they had to borrow pencils from Russian cosmonauts just to write things down.
Meaning, the current story is probably true.
Pokrovsk - 25.07.2025
"The situation in the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad direction as of 14:00 /Moscow time/ July 25, 2025
The offensive of the Russian Armed Forces on the eastern flank of the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration continues. After a breakthrough north of Myrnohrad a week earlier, Russian troops are leveling the front line along the Razine-Novoekonomichne-Mykolaivka line.
Soldiers of the 1st and 3rd Motor Rifle Battalions of the 5th Motor Rifle Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces raised flags in the central part of Novoekonomichne - on the school and at the local church.
According to data from the field, the northern part of the settlement is also under the control of Russian troops. An area up to three kilometers wide along the front and up to a kilometer deep has been taken.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine are still located on the territory of the Kapitalna Mine and the air supply shaft located to the south. The facility is combined with a processing plant and is a very difficult structure to storm, in front of which the enemy have managed to prepare several strongholds for a long-term defense.
Mykolaivka, located next to Novoekonomichne, is almost completely under the control of the Russian Armed Forces. In the area of the broken bridge and on the southern outskirts, there remains a small presence of Ukrainian infantry, and a cleanup is currently underway there.
There are also reports of an alleged assault on Myrnohrad from the east, but they raise doubts, since before that the assault detachments would have to gain a foothold in the aforementioned Kapitalna Mine. However, according to some reports, attempts to advance from the south, from Hrodivka and the adjacent Mykolaivka did indeed take place, but they have not yet reached the point of gaining a foothold in the city.
On the western flank, in the Zvirove area, units of the 30th Motor Rifle Brigade of the Russian armed Forces are advancing. Most of the village has already been liberated, but it is still too early to talk about full control over the settlement.
Numerous reports of Russian troops entering Pokrovsk with the subsequent withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the city are premature. However, given the overall dynamics of the fighting in the area, such an outcome is quite realistic in the long term - if the reports of the clearing of Zvirove and the beginning of the assault on Myrnohrad are confirmed, then, together with the actions of Russian reconnaissance groups in the south of Pokrovsk, it will be possible to really talk about the collapse of Ukrainian defenses in the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration."
"The situation in the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad direction as of 14:00 /Moscow time/ July 25, 2025
The offensive of the Russian Armed Forces on the eastern flank of the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration continues. After a breakthrough north of Myrnohrad a week earlier, Russian troops are leveling the front line along the Razine-Novoekonomichne-Mykolaivka line. Soldiers of the 1st and 3rd Motor Rifle Battalions of the 5th Motor Rifle Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces raised flags in the central part of Novoekonomichne - on the school and at the local church.According to data from the field, the northern part of the settlement is also under the control of Russian troops. An area up to three kilometers wide along the front and up to a kilometer deep has been taken.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine are still located on the territory of the Kapitalna Mine and the air supply shaft located to the south. The facility is combined with a processing plant and is a very difficult structure to storm, in front of which the enemy have managed to prepare several strongholds for a long-term defense. Mykolaivka, located next to Novoekonomichne, is almost completely under the control of the Russian Armed Forces. In the area of the broken bridge and on the southern outskirts, there remains a small presence of Ukrainian infantry, and a cleanup is currently underway there. There are also reports of an alleged assault on Myrnohrad from the east, but they raise doubts, since before that the assault detachments would have to gain a foothold in the aforementioned Kapitalna Mine. However, according to some reports, attempts to advance from the south, from Hrodivka and the adjacent Mykolaivka did indeed take place, but they have not yet reached the point of gaining a foothold in the city. On the western flank, in the Zvirove area, units of the 30th Motor Rifle Brigade of the Russian armed Forces are advancing. Most of the village has already been liberated, but it is still too early to talk about full control over the settlement. Numerous reports of Russian troops entering Pokrovsk with the subsequent withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the city are premature. However, given the overall dynamics of the fighting in the area, such an outcome is quite realistic in the long term - if the reports of the clearing of Zvirove and the beginning of the assault on Myrnohrad are confirmed, then, together with the actions of Russian reconnaissance groups in the south of Pokrovsk, it will be possible to really talk about the collapse of Ukrainian defenses in the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration."
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You don't want regular pencils in outer space because small pieces of a graphite and graphite dust can float any/everywhere and cause short circuits and is also flammable. Pencils also smudge.
The Fisher space pen - which is the pen erroneously said to have cost "billions to design" - was created by that company independently and then shown to NASA, who liked it, used it, and bought them. The Soviets also bought and used Fisher pens and the ESA and Chinese use them, too.
Its a cool pen, too. You can write underwater, upside down, on wet paper...
Novoselivka - 25.07.2025
"The situation in the Novoselivka direction as of 17:00 /Moscow time/ July 25, 2025
Today it became known that the units of the "Vostok" group of the Russian Armed Forces liberated two settlements at once in the southwestern part of the DPR. After the liberation of Myrne and Novokhatske, around two weeks ago, it took time to regroup and establish logistics, but now the Russian Armed Forces are advancing directly at the borders of the Dnipropetrovsk region in one sector, and in the other, they are advancing deep into Ukrainian lines.
On the northern flank of the Novoselivka direction, the village of Zelenyi Hai has been taken under control. Fighters of the 36th Motor Rifle Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces fought on the approaches to the sttlement for about a week and a half, and after clearing the strongholds and leveling the front line, they began assault operations directly in the village.
Now they will have to break through several well-prepared lines of defense that surround Andriivka-Klevtsove - the last large settlement in the southwestern part of the DPR, which is still under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. From the west, it is covered by several trenches and a network of fortifications, and from the north and south - by the Vovcha River.
On the southern flank, after consolidating in Voskresenka about a week ago, the Russian Armed Forces began to develop an offensive towards Malivka. This is the first settlement in the Dnipropetrovsk region liberated by the "Vostok" group of troops. Units of the 336th Marine Brigade broke the enemy's resistance towards the end of the month, raising several flags in various parts of the settlement.
Despite the fact that the village is protected from attacks from the south by the Kutsa Gully and several anti-tank trenches and strongholds, the Ukrainian defenses in Malivka fell quite quickly.
The Novoselivka direction remains the most successful for Russian troops. It is here, along with the battle for Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad, that some of the most dynamic battles of the summer campaign are taking place.
The enemy is not yet able to stabilize the front in this area and seize the initiative. Therefore, in the near future, we should expect the beginning of the emergence of a "buffer zone" already in the Dnipropetrovsk region."
"The situation in the Novoselivka direction as of 17:00 /Moscow time/ July 25, 2025
Today it became known that the units of the "Vostok" group of the Russian Armed Forces liberated two settlements at once in the southwestern part of the DPR. After the liberation of Myrne and Novokhatske, around two weeks ago, it took time to regroup and establish logistics, but now the Russian Armed Forces are advancing directly at the borders of the Dnipropetrovsk region in one sector, and in the other, they are advancing deep into Ukrainian lines. On the northern flank of the Novoselivka direction, the village of Zelenyi Hai has been taken under control. Fighters of the 36th Motor Rifle Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces fought on the approaches to the sttlement for about a week and a half, and after clearing the strongholds and leveling the front line, they began assault operations directly in the village. Now they will have to break through several well-prepared lines of defense that surround Andriivka-Klevtsove - the last large settlement in the southwestern part of the DPR, which is still under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. From the west, it is covered by several trenches and a network of fortifications, and from the north and south - by the Vovcha River.
On the southern flank, after consolidating in Voskresenka about a week ago, the Russian Armed Forces began to develop an offensive towards Malivka. This is the first settlement in the Dnipropetrovsk region liberated by the "Vostok" group of troops. Units of the 336th Marine Brigade broke the enemy's resistance towards the end of the month, raising several flags in various parts of the settlement. Despite the fact that the village is protected from attacks from the south by the Kutsa Gully and several anti-tank trenches and strongholds, the Ukrainian defenses in Malivka fell quite quickly.
The Novoselivka direction remains the most successful for Russian troops. It is here, along with the battle for Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad, that some of the most dynamic battles of the summer campaign are taking place. The enemy is not yet able to stabilize the front in this area and seize the initiative. Therefore, in the near future, we should expect the beginning of the emergence of a "buffer zone" already in the Dnipropetrovsk region."
Seversk - 27.07.2025
"The situation in the Siversk direction. July 26-27, 2025
Recently Russian troops launched a mechanized assault in the Siversk direction, which, although did not end very successfully, was not without certain positives.
On the evening of July 27, footage appeared on enemy resources showing the repulsion of a Russian mechanized assault in the Siversk direction.
At the beginning, the footage was painfully reminiscent of the previous assault actions carried out by the now-removed commander of the units operating here. The column of the Russian Armed Forces was discovered by the enemy on the territory of the Lysychansk Oil Refinery, and during its further advance was subjected to multiple strikes as it passed north of Verkhnokamyanske.
According to reports from the field, there were 3-4 enemy drones for each unit of armored vehicles, and rocket artillery was also used, including cluster munitions. Then something unusual happened - unlike the previous command, this time the armored group was not sent to storm, ignoring everything, but was turned around to save personnel. Only two tanks with "mangals" for some reason broke far ahead and rolled almost to the outskirts of Siversk. The crews, according to our information, survived.
Note that such a deep breakthrough does not mean territorial control - there are many Ukrainian forward observation posts in the fields and forest belts, it's just that in repelling attacks their role is only to observe and adjust fire, not to strike point-blank on Russian armor.
In addition, there were two more columns, one of which was stopped and turned around before the enemy began to strike, and another one dispersed and also avoided strikes. A competent assessment of the situation and taking into account the past mistakes of predecessors allowed the Russian command to save a lot of personnel, canceling a large-scale attack when discovered by the enemy. Continuing the assault in such conditions would inevitably entail heavy losses. Let's be honest, there are some in the current situation, but they are not nearly as catastrophic as they could have been.
At the same time, for several days in a row, statements and footage showing Russian troops in several objects in the Serebryansky Forest have been appearing. Russian flags were even raised over some buildings, but it is not entirely clear how the Russian stormtroopers managed to get there. Artillery and aviation are still operating from time to time in the central part of the forest, and there are a great many strongholds there, and getting through them is not the easiest task. However the southern part, the zone of backwaters near the Seversky Donets River, is not so saturated with enemy forces. Several mortar crews of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were located there, supporting the enemy's defenses in Bilohorivka and Hryhorivka - but with the liberation of the latter, the need for them partially disappeared and the supply of strongholds became more complicated: if provisions and ammunition for small arms can be delivered by drones, then 82mm and 120mm mortar rounds in sufficient quantities not so much. And supply by boats, given the battles in Serebryanka, is hardly possible. Probably, it was here that small groups of Russian troops passed, to raise the flags. However, whether they managed to gain a stable foothold there is a question with an asterisk.
The situation in the Siversk direction, perhaps the most "cursed" in the entire zone of the Special Military Operation, is gradually improving. And not least of all - thanks to the albeit belated, attention to the problems of the units operating here."
Seversk - 01.08.2025
"The situation in the Siversk direction as of 15:00 /Moscow time/ August 1, 2025
After the recent large-scale attack of the Russian Armed Forces in the Siversk direction, the enemy's resources acknowledged the loss of significant territory in the vicinity of Verkhnokamyanske.
Over the past month, Russian troops have expanded the combat zone on the approaches to Siversk, an important outpost of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the area covering the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration from attacks from the east. But these successes began not yesterday, but a little earlier. By mid-July, units from the 123rd and 6th Motor Rifle Brigades of the Russian Armed Forces liberated Verkhnokamyanske and approached the neighboring Novoselivka. Ultimately, this made it possible to conduct a further assault in the direction of Siversk and penetrate deeper into the enemy's defense lines.
Also today, a video of an attack on one of the enemy's strongholds on the approaches to Siversk itself appeared on the Internet.
After the final liberation of Verkhnokamyanske and consolidation of the territory to the south, the Russian Armed Forces were able to attack further to the west. Judging by the route of the attack, Russian troops managed to accumulate sufficient forces for the assault in the forest belts south of Serebryanka and begin attacks towards the city.
At the same time, in addition to the successful actions of Russian troops, the success was also facilitated by the loss of situational awareness by the Ukrainian command in the area. The practice of false reports, which is widespread in the Armed Forces of Ukraine in general, but was previously atypical in this particular area, played into the hands of Russian troops. As a result, the enemy command could simply not know for a long time about the loss of key positions near Verkhnokamyanske and Siversk. The enemy managed to hide the loss of territory from itself, which allowed Russian units to penetrate the Ukrainian lines quite strongly and consolidate in captured territory.
At the moment, the assault on Siversk has not begun. But given the advances in neighboring areas and the emerging configuration of the front, further successes can be expected with cautious optimism. The Ukrainian command will clearly transfer reinforcements to the area and will try to prevent Russian troops from finally “putting the squeeze” on Serebryanka, the liberation of which would allow Russian forces to gain an advantageous position for the future assault on Siversk."
"The situation in the Siversk direction. July 26-27, 2025
Recently Russian troops launched a mechanized assault in the Siversk direction, which, although did not end very successfully, was not without certain positives. On the evening of July 27, footage appeared on enemy resources showing the repulsion of a Russian mechanized assault in the Siversk direction.At the beginning, the footage was painfully reminiscent of the previous assault actions carried out by the now-removed commander of the units operating here. The column of the Russian Armed Forces was discovered by the enemy on the territory of the Lysychansk Oil Refinery, and during its further advance was subjected to multiple strikes as it passed north of Verkhnokamyanske.
According to reports from the field, there were 3-4 enemy drones for each unit of armored vehicles, and rocket artillery was also used, including cluster munitions. Then something unusual happened - unlike the previous command, this time the armored group was not sent to storm, ignoring everything, but was turned around to save personnel. Only two tanks with "mangals" for some reason broke far ahead and rolled almost to the outskirts of Siversk. The crews, according to our information, survived. Note that such a deep breakthrough does not mean territorial control - there are many Ukrainian forward observation posts in the fields and forest belts, it's just that in repelling attacks their role is only to observe and adjust fire, not to strike point-blank on Russian armor. In addition, there were two more columns, one of which was stopped and turned around before the enemy began to strike, and another one dispersed and also avoided strikes. A competent assessment of the situation and taking into account the past mistakes of predecessors allowed the Russian command to save a lot of personnel, canceling a large-scale attack when discovered by the enemy. Continuing the assault in such conditions would inevitably entail heavy losses. Let's be honest, there are some in the current situation, but they are not nearly as catastrophic as they could have been. At the same time, for several days in a row, statements and footage showing Russian troops in several objects in the Serebryansky Forest have been appearing. Russian flags were even raised over some buildings, but it is not entirely clear how the Russian stormtroopers managed to get there. Artillery and aviation are still operating from time to time in the central part of the forest, and there are a great many strongholds there, and getting through them is not the easiest task. However the southern part, the zone of backwaters near the Seversky Donets River, is not so saturated with enemy forces. Several mortar crews of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were located there, supporting the enemy's defenses in Bilohorivka and Hryhorivka - but with the liberation of the latter, the need for them partially disappeared and the supply of strongholds became more complicated: if provisions and ammunition for small arms can be delivered by drones, then 82mm and 120mm mortar rounds in sufficient quantities not so much. And supply by boats, given the battles in Serebryanka, is hardly possible. Probably, it was here that small groups of Russian troops passed, to raise the flags. However, whether they managed to gain a stable foothold there is a question with an asterisk. The situation in the Siversk direction, perhaps the most "cursed" in the entire zone of the Special Military Operation, is gradually improving. And not least of all - thanks to the albeit belated, attention to the problems of the units operating here."Seversk - 01.08.2025
"The situation in the Siversk direction as of 15:00 /Moscow time/ August 1, 2025
After the recent large-scale attack of the Russian Armed Forces in the Siversk direction, the enemy's resources acknowledged the loss of significant territory in the vicinity of Verkhnokamyanske. Over the past month, Russian troops have expanded the combat zone on the approaches to Siversk, an important outpost of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the area covering the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration from attacks from the east. But these successes began not yesterday, but a little earlier. By mid-July, units from the 123rd and 6th Motor Rifle Brigades of the Russian Armed Forces liberated Verkhnokamyanske and approached the neighboring Novoselivka. Ultimately, this made it possible to conduct a further assault in the direction of Siversk and penetrate deeper into the enemy's defense lines. Also today, a video of an attack on one of the enemy's strongholds on the approaches to Siversk itself appeared on the Internet.After the final liberation of Verkhnokamyanske and consolidation of the territory to the south, the Russian Armed Forces were able to attack further to the west. Judging by the route of the attack, Russian troops managed to accumulate sufficient forces for the assault in the forest belts south of Serebryanka and begin attacks towards the city.
At the same time, in addition to the successful actions of Russian troops, the success was also facilitated by the loss of situational awareness by the Ukrainian command in the area. The practice of false reports, which is widespread in the Armed Forces of Ukraine in general, but was previously atypical in this particular area, played into the hands of Russian troops. As a result, the enemy command could simply not know for a long time about the loss of key positions near Verkhnokamyanske and Siversk. The enemy managed to hide the loss of territory from itself, which allowed Russian units to penetrate the Ukrainian lines quite strongly and consolidate in captured territory. At the moment, the assault on Siversk has not begun. But given the advances in neighboring areas and the emerging configuration of the front, further successes can be expected with cautious optimism. The Ukrainian command will clearly transfer reinforcements to the area and will try to prevent Russian troops from finally “putting the squeeze” on Serebryanka, the liberation of which would allow Russian forces to gain an advantageous position for the future assault on Siversk."
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Chasiv Yar - 31.07.2025
"The situation in the Kramatorsk direction as of 13:00 /Moscow time/ July 31, 2025
This morning, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the complete liberation of Chasiv Yar, the battles for which had been going on since late March-early April 2024, when fighters from the 98th Airborne Division started fighting for the Kanal microdistrict. After 16 months of bloody battles, the flags of Russia and the airborne forces were raised on the western outskirts of the southern part of the city, including in the Pivdennyi and Shevchenko microdistricts, which have seen heavy fighting over the past few months.
At the same time, there may still be a focal enemy presence on the outskirts.
Given the preservation of the Ukrainian positions in Mykolaivka, Podilske, Chervone and on the Stupochky-Predtechyne line, it is impossible to rule out enemy attempts to counterattack, if not to restore positions, then to at least raise some flags on the outskirts.
The battles for Chasiv Yar lasted more than 16 months, and Kostyantynivka is three times larger in area, and although it is located in a lowland the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be able to transfer reinforcements there from Kramatorsk through Druzhkivka and Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka, through an almost continuous agglomeration.
As for the development of the further offensive on Kostyantynivka from the east, before that happens several more small settlements will have to be occupied, which are surrounded by an extensive system of fortifications. As for Druzhkivka, which has already been overly optimisticly discussed on the internt, it is unlikely that we will even have to write about it at all this year.
However, the encirclement of Kostyantynivka is being formed. In the event of maintaining and developing successes in the Chasiv Yar sector and further advancements in the west: moving north along the Novotoretske-Poltavka-Yablonivka line, the enemy's position will significantly worsen. But obviously, it won't be an easy walk."
"The situation in the Kramatorsk direction as of 13:00 /Moscow time/ July 31, 2025
This morning, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the complete liberation of Chasiv Yar, the battles for which had been going on since late March-early April 2024, when fighters from the 98th Airborne Division started fighting for the Kanal microdistrict. After 16 months of bloody battles, the flags of Russia and the airborne forces were raised on the western outskirts of the southern part of the city, including in the Pivdennyi and Shevchenko microdistricts, which have seen heavy fighting over the past few months.At the same time, there may still be a focal enemy presence on the outskirts.
Given the preservation of the Ukrainian positions in Mykolaivka, Podilske, Chervone and on the Stupochky-Predtechyne line, it is impossible to rule out enemy attempts to counterattack, if not to restore positions, then to at least raise some flags on the outskirts. The battles for Chasiv Yar lasted more than 16 months, and Kostyantynivka is three times larger in area, and although it is located in a lowland the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be able to transfer reinforcements there from Kramatorsk through Druzhkivka and Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka, through an almost continuous agglomeration. As for the development of the further offensive on Kostyantynivka from the east, before that happens several more small settlements will have to be occupied, which are surrounded by an extensive system of fortifications. As for Druzhkivka, which has already been overly optimisticly discussed on the internt, it is unlikely that we will even have to write about it at all this year. However, the encirclement of Kostyantynivka is being formed. In the event of maintaining and developing successes in the Chasiv Yar sector and further advancements in the west: moving north along the Novotoretske-Poltavka-Yablonivka line, the enemy's position will significantly worsen. But obviously, it won't be an easy walk."During the operation, which, it is claimed, lasted only half an hour, members of the special units entered the command center and arrested three British citizens with a military function. According to information published on the channels "Militarist" and "Crimean Front", among those detained are Colonel Edward Blake, a member of the psychological operations unit, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Carroll and a third officer who is said to be an adviser in the field of cyber security, possibly connected to the British intelligence service. Operation "Skat-12" was, as stated, prepared for almost two months. Technical surveillance and an agency network were used to collect data on location and movement routes. The action, according to those reports, ended with a quick evacuation from the scene using boats.
At the same time, claims are coming from London that the arrested British citizens were tourists, who visited Ochakov out of personal interest in the maritime history of the area. According to informal sources, British officials have requested through diplomatic channels that their citizens return to the country. However, Russian sources claim that documents with maps of Russian strategic facilities, air defense system plans and communication materials indicating a connection with the command were found with the arrested. It also mentions digital records and encrypted files, which are said to be still being analyzed. According to unconfirmed information, Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov rejected the possibility of exchange, citing the fact that the detained British citizens allegedly participated in activities that go beyond the framework of a tourist stay.
In Great Britain, according to local media, a series of closed meetings of security and political officials are underway, which are considering potential steps and reactions to the current situation. Military analysts from Moscow say that the operation in Ochakov is part of a new tactic that includes a proactive approach and the use of special units in the depth of the territory. In this context, the "South" center in Ochakov is particularly noteworthy, where, according to some estimates, saboteurs and drone operators are trained as part of international cooperation. Allegations from both sides have not yet been confirmed by independent sources, and further developments will depend on further steps taken by official institutions.
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UK MoD declared they were tourists visiting battle sites. So, Russia presented the military plans and diplomatic passports they had been caught with. UK MoD declared that they must be treated as PoW in that case. Russia disagreed. They are illegal combatants that will be taken to court. UK MoD declared that they wish to exchange them for Russian prisoners. No, was the answer. The planned sabotage deserves the noose. That hilarious story was found at https://drignacynowopolski.substack.com/p/shocking-kidnapping-by-the-russian