Forwarded from Middle East Spectator — MES
— 🇺🇸/🇸🇴 NEW: U.S. AFRICOM has attacked Somalia 97 times this year, setting a new record for the highest number of strikes on the country in a single year
The strikes, which are framed as attacks on ISIS-Somalia and Al-Shabaab, have not been without civilian casualties.
American strikes three days ago led to the deaths of at least 12 civilians, including 8 children.
Somali sources report that grieving families are pressured by authorities to remain silent about the civilians killed by the United States and the U.S.-backed 'Danab Brigade.'
@Middle_East_Spectator
The strikes, which are framed as attacks on ISIS-Somalia and Al-Shabaab, have not been without civilian casualties.
American strikes three days ago led to the deaths of at least 12 civilians, including 8 children.
Somali sources report that grieving families are pressured by authorities to remain silent about the civilians killed by the United States and the U.S.-backed 'Danab Brigade.'
@Middle_East_Spectator
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Explosions in Slovyansk, Donetsk Oblast. Russian KAB glide-bombs are striking the city. More have been launched.
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In the Hulyaipole direction, Russian forces continued to advance towards Hulyaipole from the northeast, making additional significant progress in several different areas.
In the southeast, Russian advances behind Vesele forced the remaining Ukrainian formations stationed in and around the village to withdraw to Zelenyi Hai. Russian forces subsequently took full control over Vesele, and advanced down the treelines to the west.
To the west, Russian forces bypassed the village of Zatyshshya from the east, entrenching north of the Kalmychka River. They then crossed the river to the south, capturing treeline positions on the opposite tactical heights, while other forces began pushing to the southwest. The Russians then secured the rest of the positions north of Zatyshshya, began pushing to the northwest of the village, and captured its northern street. Assault groups from the southern bank of the Kalmychka River then entered the southern street of the village from the east, quickly establishing control over it and a section of the road to the south.
To the northwest, Russian forces made additional progress along the tactical heights northeast of Hulyaipole, fleshing out the spearhead towards Varvarivka. They secured the agricultural buildings northwest of Zatyshshya and the treelines to the north, before crossing the Velyka Novosilka - Hulyaipole Road, and entering three parallel treelines to the west. Other assault groups secured the rest of the positions north of the gulley west of Yablukove, and advanced southwest and uphill to the other treelines west of the Velyka Novosilka - Hulyaipole Road.
To the north, Russian forces continued taking positions in the direction of the Hulyaipole - Pokrovsk'e Road and captured new positions in three separate treelines north of the initial breakthrough to the reservoirs. Meanwhile, DRGs penetrated further west, and came within 500 metres of the Hulyaipole - Pokrovsk'e Road and the village of Varvarivka.
+ ~24.07 km² in favour of Russia.
In the southeast, Russian advances behind Vesele forced the remaining Ukrainian formations stationed in and around the village to withdraw to Zelenyi Hai. Russian forces subsequently took full control over Vesele, and advanced down the treelines to the west.
To the west, Russian forces bypassed the village of Zatyshshya from the east, entrenching north of the Kalmychka River. They then crossed the river to the south, capturing treeline positions on the opposite tactical heights, while other forces began pushing to the southwest. The Russians then secured the rest of the positions north of Zatyshshya, began pushing to the northwest of the village, and captured its northern street. Assault groups from the southern bank of the Kalmychka River then entered the southern street of the village from the east, quickly establishing control over it and a section of the road to the south.
To the northwest, Russian forces made additional progress along the tactical heights northeast of Hulyaipole, fleshing out the spearhead towards Varvarivka. They secured the agricultural buildings northwest of Zatyshshya and the treelines to the north, before crossing the Velyka Novosilka - Hulyaipole Road, and entering three parallel treelines to the west. Other assault groups secured the rest of the positions north of the gulley west of Yablukove, and advanced southwest and uphill to the other treelines west of the Velyka Novosilka - Hulyaipole Road.
To the north, Russian forces continued taking positions in the direction of the Hulyaipole - Pokrovsk'e Road and captured new positions in three separate treelines north of the initial breakthrough to the reservoirs. Meanwhile, DRGs penetrated further west, and came within 500 metres of the Hulyaipole - Pokrovsk'e Road and the village of Varvarivka.
+ ~24.07 km² in favour of Russia.
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In the Pokrovsk'e direction, both Russian and Ukrainian forces have advanced, each advancing in important areas.
In the northeast, Russian forces levelled the frontline southwest of Orestopil, capturing new positions in the treelines and forest plantations south of the Vovcha River.
To the west, the Russians advanced beyond the gulley north of Oleksiivka, capturing new treeline positions there, and approaching the village of Tykhe from the south. They also advanced to the treeline northeast of Novooleksandrivka, establishing control over it.
To the southwest, Russian forces advanced west of Novooleksandrivka and northwest up the nearby road, entering and capturing the village of Hai. They then levelled the frontline between Yehorivka and Hai, capturing positions in six different treelines.
Meanwhile, new Ukrainian reinforcements brought in from the Orikhiv direction, along with elements of the 425th Separate Assault Regiment "Skala" carried out counterattacks on the village of Danylivka, recently captured by Russia. They advanced east from their positions south of Ostapivske, entering the western part of Danylivka. They quickly advanced further eastwards, recapturing the rest of the village in around two days of fighting. Since then, they have infiltrated the western half of neighbouring Yehorivka where fighting is ongoing.
+ ~18.68 km² in favour of Russia.
+ ~3.93 km² in favour of Ukraine.
In the northeast, Russian forces levelled the frontline southwest of Orestopil, capturing new positions in the treelines and forest plantations south of the Vovcha River.
To the west, the Russians advanced beyond the gulley north of Oleksiivka, capturing new treeline positions there, and approaching the village of Tykhe from the south. They also advanced to the treeline northeast of Novooleksandrivka, establishing control over it.
To the southwest, Russian forces advanced west of Novooleksandrivka and northwest up the nearby road, entering and capturing the village of Hai. They then levelled the frontline between Yehorivka and Hai, capturing positions in six different treelines.
Meanwhile, new Ukrainian reinforcements brought in from the Orikhiv direction, along with elements of the 425th Separate Assault Regiment "Skala" carried out counterattacks on the village of Danylivka, recently captured by Russia. They advanced east from their positions south of Ostapivske, entering the western part of Danylivka. They quickly advanced further eastwards, recapturing the rest of the village in around two days of fighting. Since then, they have infiltrated the western half of neighbouring Yehorivka where fighting is ongoing.
+ ~18.68 km² in favour of Russia.
+ ~3.93 km² in favour of Ukraine.
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In the Novopavlivka direction, Russian forces continue to advance, making new progress within Novopavlivka.
After securing the town centre and part of the northern streets, Russian forces made some additional progress closer to the Solena River, where they captured new positions in the residential blocks there.
Additionally, the Russians were able to successfully cross the Solena River from the highway bridge and captured positions in the residential area surrounding School No. 2. They then went on to advance further northwest, reaching the northwestern outskirts of Novopavlivka, where fighting is ongoing. Ukrainian forces are making extensive use of FPV drones to kill as many of the Russian soldiers who entered the town as possible. Small Ukrainian assault groups are also operating in the area.
+ ~1.55 km² in favour of Russia.
After securing the town centre and part of the northern streets, Russian forces made some additional progress closer to the Solena River, where they captured new positions in the residential blocks there.
Additionally, the Russians were able to successfully cross the Solena River from the highway bridge and captured positions in the residential area surrounding School No. 2. They then went on to advance further northwest, reaching the northwestern outskirts of Novopavlivka, where fighting is ongoing. Ukrainian forces are making extensive use of FPV drones to kill as many of the Russian soldiers who entered the town as possible. Small Ukrainian assault groups are also operating in the area.
+ ~1.55 km² in favour of Russia.
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In the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces continue to advance and have made new progress north of Pokrovsk and in the Myrnohrad Pocket.
North of Pokrovsk, Russian forces continued to advance and have cleared additional positions in the treelines outside the city.
In southern Myrnohrad, following the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the southern part of the pocket, Russian forces made additional progress in the southern part of the city. They advanced northwest through the low-rise residential areas, reaching the cemetery and bringing most of the southern low-rise areas under their control. Additionally, they were able to further expand their zone of control in the high-rise buildings of the Zapadny District, capturing at least seven more high-rise buildings, along with School No. 8 and the local kindergarten.
In northern Pokrovsk, Russian forces made some more progress in the northeastern high-rise blocks, bypassing the school from the south, capturing an additional four high-rise buildings, and entering the garage cooperatives to the southwest. Additionally, the Russians levelled the frontline north of Myrnohrad, captured most of the rest of the 3-story buildings in the northern districts, and entered the low-rise residential areas in the direction of the city centre.
In Rodynske, heavy fighting continues. Russian forces managed to recapture the southern half of the central-most block of 3-story buildings. They also recaptured Memorial Park and consolidated in several buildings on Tsentralna Street.
+ ~3.13 km² in favour of Russia.
North of Pokrovsk, Russian forces continued to advance and have cleared additional positions in the treelines outside the city.
In southern Myrnohrad, following the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the southern part of the pocket, Russian forces made additional progress in the southern part of the city. They advanced northwest through the low-rise residential areas, reaching the cemetery and bringing most of the southern low-rise areas under their control. Additionally, they were able to further expand their zone of control in the high-rise buildings of the Zapadny District, capturing at least seven more high-rise buildings, along with School No. 8 and the local kindergarten.
In northern Pokrovsk, Russian forces made some more progress in the northeastern high-rise blocks, bypassing the school from the south, capturing an additional four high-rise buildings, and entering the garage cooperatives to the southwest. Additionally, the Russians levelled the frontline north of Myrnohrad, captured most of the rest of the 3-story buildings in the northern districts, and entered the low-rise residential areas in the direction of the city centre.
In Rodynske, heavy fighting continues. Russian forces managed to recapture the southern half of the central-most block of 3-story buildings. They also recaptured Memorial Park and consolidated in several buildings on Tsentralna Street.
+ ~3.13 km² in favour of Russia.
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Deepstate, I’m not sure that the SBU would be pleased with you leaking that the Russians have regained the ability to teleport.
OPSPEC clearly isn’t being respected 😁
OPSPEC clearly isn’t being respected 😁
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Taking a break from updates today.
The interactive map has been updated as usual.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?hl=en&mid=1thW9kqnDOaS2lAepLhLdzSX8Ur9Sc4k&ll=47.99496961985554%2C36.630639615401606&z=11
The interactive map has been updated as usual.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?hl=en&mid=1thW9kqnDOaS2lAepLhLdzSX8Ur9Sc4k&ll=47.99496961985554%2C36.630639615401606&z=11
Google My Maps
Russian invasion of Ukraine Control Map - Google My Maps
Map showing the areas of control from each side.
My Twitter: https://x.com/AMK_Mapping_
My Telegram: t.me/AMK_Mapping
My Twitter: https://x.com/AMK_Mapping_
My Telegram: t.me/AMK_Mapping
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I’ve said it every time before and I’ll say it again: this peace plan will amount to nothing.
None of the sides in this war (US, Ukraine, Russia) have a plan which they will all agree to, and the U.S. is trying to continue extend the war’s longevity by delaying the inevitable.
It is in US foreign interests to keep Russia and Ukraine fighting. Extend Russia, focus on china, combat and topple opposers to their hegemonic ambitions one by one - not all at once.
None of the sides in this war (US, Ukraine, Russia) have a plan which they will all agree to, and the U.S. is trying to continue extend the war’s longevity by delaying the inevitable.
It is in US foreign interests to keep Russia and Ukraine fighting. Extend Russia, focus on china, combat and topple opposers to their hegemonic ambitions one by one - not all at once.
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Media is too big
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
A Russian soldier evacuated a family of three civilians from southern Vovchansk.
Somehow they survived over 18 months of bombardment and battle.
Somehow they survived over 18 months of bombardment and battle.
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Over the last 10 days, local Palestinian armed groups affiliated with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad's Saraya Al-Quds Brigades claimed responsibility for 18 attacks across the West Bank.
The "Hebron Battalion" stated that their fighters carried out 5 hand grenade attacks, 4 IED attacks, 3 small-arms attacks on IDF soldiers and vehicles, all of which took place in the town of Beit Ummar. The IDF didn't report any casualties among their forces.
The "Jenin Battalion" stated that their fighters carried out 3 pre-prepared IED attacks on IDF military vehicles in the towns of Silat al-Harithiya and Meithalun, including 2 with "Sijil" shaped charges, and 1 with a "Tufan" explosive. The IDF didn't report any casualties among their forces.
The "Nablus Battalion" stated that their fighters carried out 2 small arms attacks and 1 IED attack in Nablus city centre, the Old Askar Camp of Nablus, and the village of Tell. The IDF confirmed that one soldier was injured.
The "Hebron Battalion" stated that their fighters carried out 5 hand grenade attacks, 4 IED attacks, 3 small-arms attacks on IDF soldiers and vehicles, all of which took place in the town of Beit Ummar. The IDF didn't report any casualties among their forces.
The "Jenin Battalion" stated that their fighters carried out 3 pre-prepared IED attacks on IDF military vehicles in the towns of Silat al-Harithiya and Meithalun, including 2 with "Sijil" shaped charges, and 1 with a "Tufan" explosive. The IDF didn't report any casualties among their forces.
The "Nablus Battalion" stated that their fighters carried out 2 small arms attacks and 1 IED attack in Nablus city centre, the Old Askar Camp of Nablus, and the village of Tell. The IDF confirmed that one soldier was injured.
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I have updated the layout of my interactive Ukraine map, adding Ukrainian controlled Raions (Districts) of Donetsk Oblast, as well as pre-invasion DPR and LPR control, and pre-invasion Russian-controlled Crimea and Sevastopol.
I plan to make further changes in the future.
Link: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?hl=en&mid=1thW9kqnDOaS2lAepLhLdzSX8Ur9Sc4k&ll=47.476225594714606%2C34.6001077352891&z=7
I plan to make further changes in the future.
Link: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?hl=en&mid=1thW9kqnDOaS2lAepLhLdzSX8Ur9Sc4k&ll=47.476225594714606%2C34.6001077352891&z=7
Regarding the situation in Siversk:
Recently, there have been a lot of differing claims from various sources about the situation in this critical city. Some are claiming that Russia has broken through and captured large parts of the city, while others say the situation is under control for Ukraine. Based on the information I have gathered, I can come to a somewhat conclusive position on what the true situation is here.
Firstly, one major correction was made to the map. It turns out that previous Russian attempts to seize a series of Ukrainian strongpoints southeast of Siversk in September and October failed, with Ukrainian forces retaining control over important positions on the tactical heights there. The Russians instead opted to bypass these areas, advancing along the railway line and from the area of Verkhnokamyanske.
Over the last week, attacks intensified. Russian forces assaulted and captured Ukrainian positions on the treeline leading to the southeastern edge of Siversk, which they then used to infiltrate into the city. A number of Russian soldiers scattered in the houses there, leaving the Ukrainian strongpoints to the southeast in an operational encirclement.
However, the main vector of attack on Siversk took place from the south. A number of Russians on motorcycles broke into the southern part of the city, which was already in the grey zone. The surviving infantry then advanced north towards the city centre, scattering in additional residential areas and linking up with the forces from the east. This was achieved with minimal resistance from Ukrainian soldiers on the ground due to Ukrainian manpower shortages inside the city itself, as well as new logistical problems which Ukraine is facing due to recent Russian advances on the flanks.
Despite this small number of Ukrainian soldiers, a massive number of drones remain in the sky as usual, monitoring every movement and striking anything that moves. Russia deployed only a small number of soldiers in these attacks (likely 30-50, not including already established positions on the southern outskirts), which is not enough to consolidate larger areas and bring in additional supplies and reinforcements. Naturally, due to a lack of Ukrainian manpower, drone operators are now attempting to pick off the Russian soldiers to prevent any consolidation, ahead of small assault groups moving in. Currently, only a portion of the Russian soldiers have been killed/wounded, and work is underway to find the rest of them. Earlier strikes mainly took place in the southern parts of the city but are now moving further north to hit the Russians who penetrated deeper.
Meanwhile to the south of Siversk, Russian forces have made new advances in Zvanivka. They captured at least 60% of the village, reached its western edge, and are now trying to push further north and consolidate on its northern edge. Advances also took place downhill from the tactical heights next to the railway line, forcing the remaining Ukrainian soldiers still in the salient northeast of Pereizne to withdraw.
Recently, there have been a lot of differing claims from various sources about the situation in this critical city. Some are claiming that Russia has broken through and captured large parts of the city, while others say the situation is under control for Ukraine. Based on the information I have gathered, I can come to a somewhat conclusive position on what the true situation is here.
Firstly, one major correction was made to the map. It turns out that previous Russian attempts to seize a series of Ukrainian strongpoints southeast of Siversk in September and October failed, with Ukrainian forces retaining control over important positions on the tactical heights there. The Russians instead opted to bypass these areas, advancing along the railway line and from the area of Verkhnokamyanske.
Over the last week, attacks intensified. Russian forces assaulted and captured Ukrainian positions on the treeline leading to the southeastern edge of Siversk, which they then used to infiltrate into the city. A number of Russian soldiers scattered in the houses there, leaving the Ukrainian strongpoints to the southeast in an operational encirclement.
However, the main vector of attack on Siversk took place from the south. A number of Russians on motorcycles broke into the southern part of the city, which was already in the grey zone. The surviving infantry then advanced north towards the city centre, scattering in additional residential areas and linking up with the forces from the east. This was achieved with minimal resistance from Ukrainian soldiers on the ground due to Ukrainian manpower shortages inside the city itself, as well as new logistical problems which Ukraine is facing due to recent Russian advances on the flanks.
Despite this small number of Ukrainian soldiers, a massive number of drones remain in the sky as usual, monitoring every movement and striking anything that moves. Russia deployed only a small number of soldiers in these attacks (likely 30-50, not including already established positions on the southern outskirts), which is not enough to consolidate larger areas and bring in additional supplies and reinforcements. Naturally, due to a lack of Ukrainian manpower, drone operators are now attempting to pick off the Russian soldiers to prevent any consolidation, ahead of small assault groups moving in. Currently, only a portion of the Russian soldiers have been killed/wounded, and work is underway to find the rest of them. Earlier strikes mainly took place in the southern parts of the city but are now moving further north to hit the Russians who penetrated deeper.
Meanwhile to the south of Siversk, Russian forces have made new advances in Zvanivka. They captured at least 60% of the village, reached its western edge, and are now trying to push further north and consolidate on its northern edge. Advances also took place downhill from the tactical heights next to the railway line, forcing the remaining Ukrainian soldiers still in the salient northeast of Pereizne to withdraw.
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Overnight, a massive Russian Geran-2 drone attack was carried out on the Orlivka Gas Compresser Station in southern Odesa Oblast near the border with Romania.
Approximately 38 drones took part in the attack, most/all of which impacted.
Coordinates: 45.30433, 28.54219
Approximately 38 drones took part in the attack, most/all of which impacted.
Coordinates: 45.30433, 28.54219
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Russia is winning the war; therefore any peace negotiations will favour them.
People are so hooked up on hopium, and are looking at this from an idealist point of view. War doesn't work like a Hollywood movie where the good guys win and the bad guys lose. The stronger side wins and the weaker side loses - at least in a war of attrition.
The fact that people think THIS plan is unacceptable to Ukraine is insane to me and shows how delusional many have gotten. With how things are going, in the next year and a half Ukraine likely will have been defeated.
Even for people who see this war as a linear "Russia took X number of kilometres in Y amount of time, therefore it will take 200 years for them to get to Kyiv" are being proven wrong by reality now. Using that logic, at this current rate of advance, Russia will reach the Dnipro River at Zaporizhzhia City (a city of over 700k people) in less than a year. The linear claim used to be 90 years, or 1,000 years.
"Oh, but Russia could just leave, why should Ukraine cede territory!" Trump could also resign today, Elon Musk could donate $50 Billion to charity. The amount of brain rotting shit that people try to portray as actual arguments is mind numbing.
This isn't how war works. Why would Russia leave? They are winning and know they will win if they keep pushing. People are seriously conflating reality with their perception of an ideal situation, and the fact that this opinion is so widely accepted and promoted is proof of what emotional attachments to entities (Ukraine), and propaganda can do.
People are so hooked up on hopium, and are looking at this from an idealist point of view. War doesn't work like a Hollywood movie where the good guys win and the bad guys lose. The stronger side wins and the weaker side loses - at least in a war of attrition.
The fact that people think THIS plan is unacceptable to Ukraine is insane to me and shows how delusional many have gotten. With how things are going, in the next year and a half Ukraine likely will have been defeated.
Even for people who see this war as a linear "Russia took X number of kilometres in Y amount of time, therefore it will take 200 years for them to get to Kyiv" are being proven wrong by reality now. Using that logic, at this current rate of advance, Russia will reach the Dnipro River at Zaporizhzhia City (a city of over 700k people) in less than a year. The linear claim used to be 90 years, or 1,000 years.
"Oh, but Russia could just leave, why should Ukraine cede territory!" Trump could also resign today, Elon Musk could donate $50 Billion to charity. The amount of brain rotting shit that people try to portray as actual arguments is mind numbing.
This isn't how war works. Why would Russia leave? They are winning and know they will win if they keep pushing. People are seriously conflating reality with their perception of an ideal situation, and the fact that this opinion is so widely accepted and promoted is proof of what emotional attachments to entities (Ukraine), and propaganda can do.
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Explosion in Pavlohrad, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Iskander-M ballistic missile strike.
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