mzkitty
I give up.
Just a couple of other thingys:
Video:
View: https://twitter.com/GirkinGirkin/status/1377300156572438534
Here:
Video:
View: https://twitter.com/GirkinGirkin/status/1377300156572438534
Here:
WAR trouble brewing again in ukraine
- Thread starter danielboon
- Start date
northern watch
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This increases the probabilities. But of what exactly? Any Russian plan to strike at targets in northern Ukraine or even the Baltic states would likely begin with a major distraction in the south (Black Sea/Sea of Azov), and vice versa. Much depends on VDV and Kantemir-Taman.
Yes, the book, War with Russia starts off with that scenario
northern watch
TB Fanatic
Russian forces begin massing on border with Ukraine
By George Allison
UK Defence Journal
March 31, 2021
Russian forces and their accompanying logistics units are moving to the Ukrainian border as part of a significant buildup of Russian forces.
The information comes primarily from social media accounts of people in the region.
The open source intelligence account ‘OSINTtechnical‘ is following developments, we recommend you follow them now if you’re not already.
While training were originally given as a possible explanation for the buildup, a U.S. defence official told CBS News here that the locations and types of units seen on the ground didn’t line up with what the Russian Ministry of Defense had announced last month.
More on this as it develops.
Russian forces begin massing on border with Ukraine (ukdefencejournal.org.uk)
By George Allison
UK Defence Journal
March 31, 2021
Russian forces and their accompanying logistics units are moving to the Ukrainian border as part of a significant buildup of Russian forces.
The information comes primarily from social media accounts of people in the region.
The open source intelligence account ‘OSINTtechnical‘ is following developments, we recommend you follow them now if you’re not already.
While training were originally given as a possible explanation for the buildup, a U.S. defence official told CBS News here that the locations and types of units seen on the ground didn’t line up with what the Russian Ministry of Defense had announced last month.
More on this as it develops.
Russian forces begin massing on border with Ukraine (ukdefencejournal.org.uk)
northern watch
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Kiev: "The Russian Army entered Ann
Ukraine with powerful artillery - Two Parachute Divisions in Crimea" - Zelenski signed "total war" decree (video) Fierce clashes continue - Large anti-aircraft exercise in Kharkiv
Columnist: Vasilis Kapoulas
WarNews 247
28/03/2021 - 19:45
The first confirmed entry of a Russian military convoy into Eastern Ukraine was just now, according to Ukrainian media. This is fully confirmed by WarNews247, which has been recording the movements of forces in recent times.
We said yesterday that the Russians sent reinforcements to Donbass. Today came the confirmation.
The Russians carried artillery with a range of 80 km, the most modern they have while reordering forces in Crimea with Two Parachute Divisions! The firepower they gather exceeds all limits.
A characteristic of the escalation is that Russia and Ukraine are no longer hiding their movements.
Koalitsiya-SV transported by the Russians to Donbass
The military convoy reportedly entered Donbass from the Gukovo border crossing in Eastern Ukraine.
The Ukrainians broadcast that the Russians were carrying armored vehicles BMP, MT-LB, APC 185 units total. But what is most worrying is how they transported the most modern Koalitsiya-SV artillery systems.
The gun incorporates barrel 2A88. Its main feature is the high firing rate of 16-20 missiles per minute while carrying a 1,000-horsepower engine, a three-member crew.
It can fire conventional munitions at 40 km, while with guided ammunition the maximum range is doubled, to 80 km.
80 kilometers in Donbass means "harvesting"...
Large anti-aircraft exercise in Kharkiv
The Ukrainians took The Russian offensive towards Kharkiv very seriously. A while ago they ordered an air defense exercise in this area by all available means. This development is confirmed again by WarNews247, which wrote that Kharkiv is also a target.
Anti-aircraft systems "Strela-10", "Osa", SAM "Buk-M1", "Shilka", S-300, and radar "Malakhit".
It is worth noting that the front was carried sniper rifles "Alligator" using bullets of 14.5 x 114 mm. range of 7,000 meters, which is a world record.
At the same time, Turkish Bayraktar drones have been transported to Kramatorsk.
The head of the Russian Douma, Yuri Shvytkin, said a moment ago:
"The Ukrainian Army continues to increase activity along the contact line. An attack on them will soon follow."
Ukraine's president prepares for total war – What does the decree he signed say
Ukrainian sources reveal that the country's president, with the new decree he signed and revealed the day before yesterday by WarNews247, is essentially putting the entire population under arms.
It specifically states:
"Zelenski with the new decree militarises the entire people of Ukraine as he talks about "general military mobilization" and the conditions of conscription.
It is, of course, said that Ukraine cannot achieve military equality with Russia, which is why it relies on NATO and its assistance.
It is explicitly stated that Ukraine faces a "threat of existence" . The situation is exacerbated by Russia's lack of money and military superiority.
This is why it is stated that the only solution is "defense with all available means of land, air and sea.
The document mentions 10 times the "combination of resistance movements" and the phrase "territorial defense" 34 times.
This is a strategy of "total war". This is the same strategy that took place on the eve of the First World War. According to this military operations are conducted by all available means and not only by professional soldiers.
For comparison purposes the document mentions only 3 times the word "rearming" and the word "modernization" only two times.
It is clear that Ukraine's strategy is to conduct a nationwide war.
Strong territorial defence" combined with the resistance movement will increase the state's level of defence, social cohesion, patriotic education of citizens and Ukraine's national defence.
The document clearly states that Russia is The No 1 enemy of Ukraine and that it uses all available means to delay Ukraine's socio-economic development.
NATO membership is mentioned 19 times in the document.
Two Parachute Divisions Transport Russia to Crimea
Shock has been caused by the information in recent hours about a large transfer of forces to Crimea which will be added to the existing ones. Even the Russians themselves are in love with such a large redeployment of forces.
Crimea was already an impregnable fortress that had an Army Corps, Air Force, the most modern anti-aircraft systems, anti-ship missiles. At the same time it is the base of the Black Sea Fleet with Kalibr cruise missiles.
Suddenly the Russian Defense Ministry decides to further strengthen the forces in order to turn it into an impregnable aircraft carrier. From there the forces will operate in Syria, Ukraine and the Trans-Caucasus region.
The Russians carry:
Κίεβο: “Ο Ρωσικός Στρατός εισήλθε Αν. Ουκρανία με πανίσχυρο πυροβολικό – Δύο Μεραρχίες Αλεξιπτωτιστών στην Κριμαία” – Υπέγραψε διάταγμα “total war” ο Ζελένσκι (βίντεο) - WarNews247
Ukraine with powerful artillery - Two Parachute Divisions in Crimea" - Zelenski signed "total war" decree (video) Fierce clashes continue - Large anti-aircraft exercise in Kharkiv
Columnist: Vasilis Kapoulas
WarNews 247
28/03/2021 - 19:45
The first confirmed entry of a Russian military convoy into Eastern Ukraine was just now, according to Ukrainian media. This is fully confirmed by WarNews247, which has been recording the movements of forces in recent times.
We said yesterday that the Russians sent reinforcements to Donbass. Today came the confirmation.
The Russians carried artillery with a range of 80 km, the most modern they have while reordering forces in Crimea with Two Parachute Divisions! The firepower they gather exceeds all limits.
A characteristic of the escalation is that Russia and Ukraine are no longer hiding their movements.
Koalitsiya-SV transported by the Russians to Donbass
The military convoy reportedly entered Donbass from the Gukovo border crossing in Eastern Ukraine.
The Ukrainians broadcast that the Russians were carrying armored vehicles BMP, MT-LB, APC 185 units total. But what is most worrying is how they transported the most modern Koalitsiya-SV artillery systems.
The gun incorporates barrel 2A88. Its main feature is the high firing rate of 16-20 missiles per minute while carrying a 1,000-horsepower engine, a three-member crew.
It can fire conventional munitions at 40 km, while with guided ammunition the maximum range is doubled, to 80 km.
80 kilometers in Donbass means "harvesting"...
Large anti-aircraft exercise in Kharkiv
The Ukrainians took The Russian offensive towards Kharkiv very seriously. A while ago they ordered an air defense exercise in this area by all available means. This development is confirmed again by WarNews247, which wrote that Kharkiv is also a target.
Anti-aircraft systems "Strela-10", "Osa", SAM "Buk-M1", "Shilka", S-300, and radar "Malakhit".
It is worth noting that the front was carried sniper rifles "Alligator" using bullets of 14.5 x 114 mm. range of 7,000 meters, which is a world record.
At the same time, Turkish Bayraktar drones have been transported to Kramatorsk.
The head of the Russian Douma, Yuri Shvytkin, said a moment ago:
"The Ukrainian Army continues to increase activity along the contact line. An attack on them will soon follow."
Ukraine's president prepares for total war – What does the decree he signed say
Ukrainian sources reveal that the country's president, with the new decree he signed and revealed the day before yesterday by WarNews247, is essentially putting the entire population under arms.
It specifically states:
"Zelenski with the new decree militarises the entire people of Ukraine as he talks about "general military mobilization" and the conditions of conscription.
It is, of course, said that Ukraine cannot achieve military equality with Russia, which is why it relies on NATO and its assistance.
It is explicitly stated that Ukraine faces a "threat of existence" . The situation is exacerbated by Russia's lack of money and military superiority.
This is why it is stated that the only solution is "defense with all available means of land, air and sea.
The document mentions 10 times the "combination of resistance movements" and the phrase "territorial defense" 34 times.
This is a strategy of "total war". This is the same strategy that took place on the eve of the First World War. According to this military operations are conducted by all available means and not only by professional soldiers.
For comparison purposes the document mentions only 3 times the word "rearming" and the word "modernization" only two times.
It is clear that Ukraine's strategy is to conduct a nationwide war.
Strong territorial defence" combined with the resistance movement will increase the state's level of defence, social cohesion, patriotic education of citizens and Ukraine's national defence.
The document clearly states that Russia is The No 1 enemy of Ukraine and that it uses all available means to delay Ukraine's socio-economic development.
NATO membership is mentioned 19 times in the document.
Two Parachute Divisions Transport Russia to Crimea
Shock has been caused by the information in recent hours about a large transfer of forces to Crimea which will be added to the existing ones. Even the Russians themselves are in love with such a large redeployment of forces.
Crimea was already an impregnable fortress that had an Army Corps, Air Force, the most modern anti-aircraft systems, anti-ship missiles. At the same time it is the base of the Black Sea Fleet with Kalibr cruise missiles.
Suddenly the Russian Defense Ministry decides to further strengthen the forces in order to turn it into an impregnable aircraft carrier. From there the forces will operate in Syria, Ukraine and the Trans-Caucasus region.
The Russians carry:
- S-500 "Prometheus" arrays together with S350 Vityaz . The first arrays of "Prometheus" go to Crimea. We recall that S-400 arrays already exist.
- The third Pskov Parachute Regiment is transferred, followed by a reorganisation of the forces and the 56th Airborne Division with a permanent base in Crimea is established. The forces are being transported from the Volgograd area.
- We recall that in Crimea there was as early as 2017 the 171st Parachute Battalion with the most modern weapons and equipment and now another Parachute Brigade is being sent. In other words, a Rapid Reaction Force is created. These forces have Artillery Brigades, tanks and electronic warfare systems and drones and can be transported either by aircraft or by drones.
- The 7th Parachute Division, which is a small Army, has been in the area since 1947. He has fought in Afghanistan, Abkhazja, Chechnya and has a Responsibility Zone in Crimea and the North Caucasus.
Κίεβο: “Ο Ρωσικός Στρατός εισήλθε Αν. Ουκρανία με πανίσχυρο πυροβολικό – Δύο Μεραρχίες Αλεξιπτωτιστών στην Κριμαία” – Υπέγραψε διάταγμα “total war” ο Ζελένσκι (βίντεο) - WarNews247
coalcracker
Veteran Member
Russia is about to kick the snot out of Ukraine, and I find myself strangely on Russia’s side. The problem, of course, is how quickly this war could escalate. NATO seems itchin’ for a fight.
I’m thinking about the usual topping off preps.
Nothing seems like woo anymore.
I’m thinking about the usual topping off preps.
Nothing seems like woo anymore.
marsh
On TB every waking moment
Russia Massing Troops on Ukraine Border; US Forces in Europe Raise Watch to Highest Level ‘Potential Imminent Crisis’
By Kristinn Taylor
Published March 31, 2021 at 12:17pm
Russian forces massing on the border with Ukraine have prompted the U.S. European Command to raise its watch level to its highest point of “potential imminent crisis”, according to a New York Times report Tuesday night. On Wednesday, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley spoke to senior Russian Gen. Valery Gerasimov about the buildup, according to Russia.
Four Ukrainian soldiers were killed last week in an extended battle in the contested Donetsk Region against Russia-backed separatists. Russian forces that were thought to have gathered for training exercises near the border have stayed and grown in numbers, prompting concerns.
Under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, Russia under Vladimir Putin took territory in the former Soviet republics of Georgia and Ukraine, respectively. When Donald Trump was president, Russia took no territory. Now with Joe Biden in the White House, Russia appears to be testing his mettle.
NY Times excerpt:
End excerpt. Please read the complete New York Times report at this link.
Fox News reporter Lucas Tomlinson on the general-to-general phone call, “U.S. military’s top officer Gen. Mark Milley spoke by phone with Russia’s top officer Gen. Valery Gerasimov following buildup of Russian forces on Ukraine’s border: Russian defense ministry”
Also on Tuesday, Russia warned about a possible “civil war” in Ukraine.
Video reportedly filmed in Russian-occupied Crimea taken Tuesday:
View: https://twitter.com/i/status/1376965845172289536
.26 min
The poster’s Twitter page has several videos reportedly showing Russian military vehicles being transported to occupied Crimea.
Translation from Ukraine Pravda on the buildup published Tuesday, Featured Image from the article, (excerpt):
When this goes to crap, all of our other allies, if the haven't done it yet, will be re-evaluating their options, including "rolling their own".
danielboon
TB Fanatic
1-12020
Senior Member
Great ... they really are pushing for the "great reset" .
Someone has a tag line "they want you dead" , I think they do.
Now the Ukraine will tell Russia to piss off and Russia will not back down this time.
War's and Rumors of Wars are off the hook.
Last edited:
Doomer Doug
TB Fanatic
I wonder if he offered them some of our elite transgender troops? Biden just reversed Trump's transgender serving openly in the US military ban today. I'm sure the Russians are impressed. Biden isn't running anything it is Obama, Rice, the Clintons etc and Putin isn't going to mess around with criminals and incompetent crooks and fools. neo con imbeciles who don't seem to realize the Crimea was a part of Russia until 1954 when Khurschev gave it to the Ukraine in one of those hair brained schemes, like draining Lake Ara to grow cotton in Uzbekisan? or whatever.
Russia will not tolerate NATO combat troops on its borders and it will KILL US if Ukraine joins NATO.
northern watch
TB Fanatic
US Army Raises Europe Threat Level To 'Potential Imminent Crisis' On Ukraine-Russia Fears
BY TYLER DURDEN
ZERO HEDGE
WEDNESDAY, MAR 31, 2021 - 06:40 PM
The recent rise in tensions between the US and Russia over continued simmering conflict in Ukraine seemed to correspond with the Biden administration entering the White House. Many pundits have commented that on a foreign policy front things are eerily feeling like a throwback to the Obama years of 2014 or 2015, whether its the Ukraine and Crimea crises, or Syria returning to headlines again (including Biden's ordered airstrikes on the country in February), or the growing Russia-NATO standoff.
This past weekend we were among the very few to take notice of the Pentagon's latest large military equipment delivery to Ukraine's army via the port of Odessa, following Biden earlier pledging that "Crimea is Ukraine" and that he'd work to thwart Russian aims in the region.
And now this week the US European Command (EUCOM) has issued a notification of a raised 'threat level' in Europe. The designation has been officially raised to one of "potential imminent crisis" this week. It comes just as The New York Times and others are reporting a serious escalation in fighting in Eastern Ukraine, which has signaled the collapse of yet another cease-fire.
Illustrative file: AFP/Getty Images
The raised threat level centers on Ukraine's commander-in-chief of national armed forces alleging that Russia has amassed more troops on its border this week, and further that "pro-Moscow separatists were systematically violating a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine," according to Reuters.
Kiev's parliament followed by announcing a sharp "escalation" in the east - a contested region which has seen 14,000 deaths going back to 2014.
The NY Times had linked the raised alert status by EUCOM specifically to Ukraine, writing "the U.S. military’s European Command raised its watch level from possible crisis to potential imminent crisis — the highest level — in response to the deployment of the additional Russian troops."
The report also described the infusion of new Russian military equipment to the Kremlin-backed rebels, something which the latest follow-up statement by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed, charging that it is the Ukrainian side now taking "provocative actions that would lead to war".
The Times report cited a US official who estimated that some 4,000 additional Russian troops remained behind along the Ukraine border region following the end of recent military drills, something which one retired Army general said could just be "posturing" designed to test the Biden administration.
Meanwhile Washington has apparently put Moscow 'on notice' over a potential Ukraine escalation...
Despite long ago falling out of daily and weekly headlines, the war in the Donbass region has remained a 'low-simmering conflict' which has never stopped. Battle lines and disputed fronts, along with rival checkpoints, have been consistently manned.
The usual military exercises that take place this time of year, or larger than usual troop build-up?
However, as the NYT noted, "Four Ukrainian soldiers were killed and another seriously wounded in a battle against Russian-backed separatists in the Donetsk Region" on Tuesday, suggesting a severe flare-up on the horizon which could once again draw in external Western forces, especially as Biden has lately vowed to get "tough" on Putin's Russia.
US Army Raises Europe Threat Level To 'Potential Imminent Crisis' On Ukraine-Russia Fears | ZeroHedge
BY TYLER DURDEN
ZERO HEDGE
WEDNESDAY, MAR 31, 2021 - 06:40 PM
The recent rise in tensions between the US and Russia over continued simmering conflict in Ukraine seemed to correspond with the Biden administration entering the White House. Many pundits have commented that on a foreign policy front things are eerily feeling like a throwback to the Obama years of 2014 or 2015, whether its the Ukraine and Crimea crises, or Syria returning to headlines again (including Biden's ordered airstrikes on the country in February), or the growing Russia-NATO standoff.
This past weekend we were among the very few to take notice of the Pentagon's latest large military equipment delivery to Ukraine's army via the port of Odessa, following Biden earlier pledging that "Crimea is Ukraine" and that he'd work to thwart Russian aims in the region.
And now this week the US European Command (EUCOM) has issued a notification of a raised 'threat level' in Europe. The designation has been officially raised to one of "potential imminent crisis" this week. It comes just as The New York Times and others are reporting a serious escalation in fighting in Eastern Ukraine, which has signaled the collapse of yet another cease-fire.
Illustrative file: AFP/Getty Images
The raised threat level centers on Ukraine's commander-in-chief of national armed forces alleging that Russia has amassed more troops on its border this week, and further that "pro-Moscow separatists were systematically violating a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine," according to Reuters.
Kiev's parliament followed by announcing a sharp "escalation" in the east - a contested region which has seen 14,000 deaths going back to 2014.
The NY Times had linked the raised alert status by EUCOM specifically to Ukraine, writing "the U.S. military’s European Command raised its watch level from possible crisis to potential imminent crisis — the highest level — in response to the deployment of the additional Russian troops."
The report also described the infusion of new Russian military equipment to the Kremlin-backed rebels, something which the latest follow-up statement by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed, charging that it is the Ukrainian side now taking "provocative actions that would lead to war".
The Times report cited a US official who estimated that some 4,000 additional Russian troops remained behind along the Ukraine border region following the end of recent military drills, something which one retired Army general said could just be "posturing" designed to test the Biden administration.
Meanwhile Washington has apparently put Moscow 'on notice' over a potential Ukraine escalation...
Despite long ago falling out of daily and weekly headlines, the war in the Donbass region has remained a 'low-simmering conflict' which has never stopped. Battle lines and disputed fronts, along with rival checkpoints, have been consistently manned.
The usual military exercises that take place this time of year, or larger than usual troop build-up?
However, as the NYT noted, "Four Ukrainian soldiers were killed and another seriously wounded in a battle against Russian-backed separatists in the Donetsk Region" on Tuesday, suggesting a severe flare-up on the horizon which could once again draw in external Western forces, especially as Biden has lately vowed to get "tough" on Putin's Russia.
US Army Raises Europe Threat Level To 'Potential Imminent Crisis' On Ukraine-Russia Fears | ZeroHedge
mistaken1
Has No Life - Lives on TB
God willing the satanic globalists will have their asses handed to them.
northern watch
TB Fanatic
US Makes Large Military Hardware Delivery To Ukraine's Army After Biden Pledged "Crimea is Ukraine"
BY TYLER DURDEN
ZERO HEDGE
SATURDAY, MAR 27, 2021 - 09:55 AM
Russian state sources are alleging that Washington under the Biden administration is ramping up military aid to Ukraine after local media observed a US cargo ship delivering 350 tonnes of military equipment - including tactical vehicles - to Ukraine's Odessa port.
Local media reported the delivery which began late Wednesday and which is said to still be in process Friday. Ukraine's Dumskaya news agency said the American vessel carried at least 35 US military humvees for Ukrainian national forces.
File image, via Defence Blog
"Dry-cargo ship Ocean Glory under the American flag entered the port of Odessa last night," the report indicated.
"The bulk carrier Ocean Glory specializes in military transportation. Built in 2015, length 171 meters, width 25 meters, deadweight about 20 thousand tons," it added according to a translation.
The delivery follows last year's US DoD announcement of an additional $125 million military assistance package for Ukraine (unveiled in March) which involves equipment, training, and military advisory support, with an additional $150 million waiting for Congressional and Pentagon approval.
Dumskaya news agency said the "Ocean Glory" vessel made the military hardware delivery.
Recall that a little over a month after Biden taking office, the White House issued an official communique commemorating "Russia's illegal invasions of Ukraine" - as the statement put it.
"The United States continues to stand with Ukraine and its allies and partners today, as it has from the beginning of this conflict. On this somber anniversary, we reaffirm a simple truth: Crimea is Ukraine," the Biden administration said on Feb.26.
"The United States does not and will never recognize Russia’s purported annexation of the peninsula, and we will stand with Ukraine against Russia’s aggressive acts."
Needless to say the Kremlin has been monitoring US equipment deliveries through Odessa port very closely as concerns grow over Biden's Russia and China-centric foreign policy, which has seen additional pressure ramping up fast on both countries, including fresh sanctions against Kremlin officials of late and vows of impending cyber-attacks in retaliation for alleged US election 'interference'.
US Makes Large Military Hardware Delivery To Ukraine's Army After Biden Pledged "Crimea is Ukraine" | ZeroHedge
BY TYLER DURDEN
ZERO HEDGE
SATURDAY, MAR 27, 2021 - 09:55 AM
Russian state sources are alleging that Washington under the Biden administration is ramping up military aid to Ukraine after local media observed a US cargo ship delivering 350 tonnes of military equipment - including tactical vehicles - to Ukraine's Odessa port.
Local media reported the delivery which began late Wednesday and which is said to still be in process Friday. Ukraine's Dumskaya news agency said the American vessel carried at least 35 US military humvees for Ukrainian national forces.
File image, via Defence Blog
"Dry-cargo ship Ocean Glory under the American flag entered the port of Odessa last night," the report indicated.
"The bulk carrier Ocean Glory specializes in military transportation. Built in 2015, length 171 meters, width 25 meters, deadweight about 20 thousand tons," it added according to a translation.
The delivery follows last year's US DoD announcement of an additional $125 million military assistance package for Ukraine (unveiled in March) which involves equipment, training, and military advisory support, with an additional $150 million waiting for Congressional and Pentagon approval.
Dumskaya news agency said the "Ocean Glory" vessel made the military hardware delivery.
Recall that a little over a month after Biden taking office, the White House issued an official communique commemorating "Russia's illegal invasions of Ukraine" - as the statement put it.
"The United States continues to stand with Ukraine and its allies and partners today, as it has from the beginning of this conflict. On this somber anniversary, we reaffirm a simple truth: Crimea is Ukraine," the Biden administration said on Feb.26.
"The United States does not and will never recognize Russia’s purported annexation of the peninsula, and we will stand with Ukraine against Russia’s aggressive acts."
Needless to say the Kremlin has been monitoring US equipment deliveries through Odessa port very closely as concerns grow over Biden's Russia and China-centric foreign policy, which has seen additional pressure ramping up fast on both countries, including fresh sanctions against Kremlin officials of late and vows of impending cyber-attacks in retaliation for alleged US election 'interference'.
US Makes Large Military Hardware Delivery To Ukraine's Army After Biden Pledged "Crimea is Ukraine" | ZeroHedge
night driver
ESFP adrift in INTJ sea
A good place to review this gem from Small Wars Journal.
She has a LOT to say about what we are seeing on the last 24 hours:
She has a LOT to say about what we are seeing on the last 24 hours:
Posted for fair use.....
Hybrid: An Adjective Describing the Current War | Small Wars Journal
Asymmetric warfare, irregular warfare, unconventional warfare, protracted warfare, conventional warfare, and political warfare are just a few terms used to define conflict. Now, add hybrid warfare. War is continuously evolving and attempting to define war poses trouble. Opinions and personal...smallwarsjournal.com
Thu, 03/25/2021 - 12:44pm
Hybrid: An Adjective Describing the Current War
CPT Bridget Bachman
Edited by SFC Charles Reno
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government.
Asymmetric warfare, irregular warfare, unconventional warfare, protracted warfare, conventional warfare, and political warfare are just a few terms used to define conflict. Now, add hybrid warfare. War is continuously evolving and attempting to define war poses trouble. Opinions and personal preferences do appear in research, which further serves to increase the breadth of reasonable definitions for hybrid warfare. Hybrid warfare has many different definitions, but the importance must shift to having an in-depth knowledge of the activities conducted by our adversaries. We limit ourselves by continuously seeking definitions.
Meanwhile, our adversaries continue to make advances. We need to spend more time understanding than naming (Maxwell, 2021). This research paper not only serves to answer the question of what hybrid warfare is but also the Russian application. As well as recommendations for United States government (USG) action. Hybrid warfare uses all methods to create a favorable desired condition and is the holistic approach used by Russia. The United States Government (USG) must confront Russia’s methods by defining the operational environment and defining red lines for adversaries not to cross. The biggest threat is the lack of understanding of how many methods can be used by everyday media consumption and the advances in technology.
Defining Hybrid Warfare
Hybrid warfare is the use of all methods used to create a favorable desired condition. As an adjective, hybrid means having two or more distinct elements. Some argue that hybrid warfare is the blurred combination of regular and irregular components within the same battlespace (Hoffman, 2007). Or the integration of instruments of national power at the operational level. Another definition is using military, non-military, lethal, non-lethal, forcing the enemy to act in specific ways (Fridman, 2018). Additionally, hybrid warfare is the employment of political warfare that applies economic pressure, diplomatic pressure, information pressure, and subversive activities to achieve a pre-determined end state.
Russia defines hybrid war, or “гибридная война” in Russian, as the entire competition space, blending all means and instruments (Clark, 2020). Russia not only employs hybrid methods but fully understands that all future wars are hybrid in theory. Russia has adapted and improved its capabilities to achieve its strategic objectives. Russian doctrine does not distinguish between peacetime and war, ensuring that strategy includes integrating political, military, diplomatic, economic, information, and other measures (Bagge, 2019). Hybrid warfare is applied to prevent armed conflict. For Russia, hybrid warfare is a whole government activity and views the information campaign as the priority over all other efforts (Clark, 2020). In contrast, the USG lacks a national influence capability, and influence serves as a supporting role to other priorities.
Russian Methods and Techniques
Russia is our nation’s main adversary exerting hybrid methods. Understanding how Russia is employing methods is more critical than defining hybrid war. Russia exerts national power through conventional and irregular methods and adapts quickly. Russia employs disruptive technologies in conjunction with accepting vast amounts of risk that do not appear palatable for the United States or its partners to accept. Where a conventional battlefield is lacking, Russia pits the population of its targeted nation in the conflict zone. Russian efforts are subversive and seek to undermine the authority of sovereign nations. As past events have shown, such as in Ukraine or Georgia, subversive efforts are clandestine or covert, making it challenging to pin attribution on Russia. The lack of attribution makes it challenging to hold Russia accountable (Pindjak., 2014).
Russia has been using ‘reflexive control’ since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Reflexive control combines information warfare and information operations by employing direct and indirect effects simultaneously across strategic, operational, and tactical domains. The Russian approach aims to take away the opposing party’s ability to decide, utilize, to adjust their political will and impacts their ability to execute a response (Bagge, 2019). Reflexive control refers to the practice of altering specific factors in an adversary’s perception of the world, therefore manipulating them to make decisions in your favor. This tactic is implicit in psychological operations and allows Russia to gain critical advantages in a myriad of operational environments that are not otherwise present. Russia has applied reflexive control for decades, and it has the necessary infrastructure to deliver messages to foreign audiences (Pomerleau, 2020). The infrastructure, backed by intelligence services, state media, and diplomats allows for the spreading of false information at opportune moments to target perceived weak links that are exploitable through moral arguments, psychological tactics, and specific appeals (Kowalewski, 2017). Russia employs reflexive control as a long-term influence campaign, focusing on the two deception actors, the victim, and the deceiver (Bagge, 2019).
In 2014, Russia used division as a reflexive control method and employed hybrid tactics in Ukraine. Russia deployed troops along Ukraine’s borders. The division served two purposes; first, it kept western entities focused on the possibility of an all-out evasion. Second, it diverted attention from the war taking place in Donetsk and Luhansk. The buildup of troops forced the Ukrainian military to remain in place to counter a potential invasion, which created a state of confusion about the true scope of Russia’s operations—using these tactics to alter the perception, to hinder western and Ukrainian decision making or as Russians call it maskirovka. Maskirovka aims to manipulate the decision-making process to maneuver strategic behavior towards the desired end state.
With the advance of technology, reflexive control is moving into cyberspace, expanding the scope of warfare, creating an even more hybrid threat. Internet connectivity has flattened communications globally. In an instant, information is transmittable overseas, and the floodgates are open for the application of reflexive control and exploitation of foreign audiences. Not only does the internet increase the efficiency and efficacy of reflexive control, but it also offers other unique characteristics like shaping an individual’s' patterns of life through targeted advertisements, as well as providing information to the adversary. Influencing the system is only a few clicks away. Also, the cost of implementing a disinformation campaign is significantly reduced, and infrastructure in other regions of the world supports it. Additionally, it offers outright deniability or plausible deniability of operations. Anything with cyberspace has fewer legal restraints, fewer attributions to attach, and ultimately less enforceable (Bagge, 2019).
This expansion of technology allows Russia to use existing rifts in society as a technique through disinformation campaigns online. An example of this is the ‘Lisa Case.’ A media storm surrounded the story of a 13-year-old Russian girl in Germany who had been raped by Arab migrants, signaling the public to demand a wake-up call from German political elites for mishandling the migrant crisis (Meister, 2016). This incident was fake, yet it generated public outcry and inflamed German opinion over the mass arrival of migrants. In the end, it served to pummel Angela Merkel’s public support without allowing the German political elites the opportunity to make a unified decision over the migrant crisis. Russia masters the manipulation of sensory awareness while hiding its true intentions. They tamper with filters or data processors through sensory awareness.
Recommended USG Action
The USG must confront Russia’s methods by defining the operational environment and defining red lines for adversaries not to cross. The first step is analyzing Russia’s decisions and observing Russia’s threat in its entirety instead of as individual lines of effort (Clark, 2020). Russia is not only in Europe, but it uses reflexive control worldwide (Clark, 2020). Another recommendation is to define non-kinetic red lines for the enemy not to cross, especially when it comes to cyberspace (Bagge, 2019). The USG must seize the initiative and not be in a reactive posture by improving its deterrence methods. One of the most significant risks is the lack of understanding of the potential uses of technology and how quickly someone can be deceived by everyday consumption of convenience. The Russian hybrid approach is an issue for Americans and our allies, not only the military. Again, this is because Russia uses a holistic approach, and their main battlespace is the mind. USG needs to make people aware of the Russian threat so they have the tools to be resilient. The individual is the most crucial aspect to counter Russia.
Hybrid warfare is the use of all methods used to create a favorable desired condition. Russia uses this holistic approach in the form of what they call reflexive control. The USG must confront Russia’s methods by defining the operational environment and defining red lines for adversaries not to cross.
References
Bagge, D. 2019. Unmasking Maskirovka: Russia’s Cyber Influence Operations. New York: Defense Press.
Clark, M. 2020. Russian Hybrid Warfare. Military Learning and the Future of War Series. Institute for the Study of War.
Fridman, O., 2018. Russian ‘Hybrid Warfare’. London: Hurst & Company.
Hoffman, F., 2007. Conflict in the 21st Century: The Rise of Hybrid Wars. Potomac Institute for Policy Studies
Kowalewski, A. (2017, February 1). Disinformation and Reflexive Control: The New Cold War. Retrieved from Disinformation and Reflexive Control: The New Cold War
Maxwell, D. 2021, January 28. Modern UW and Counter UW, Irregular Warfare, Political
Warfare all Apply to the "Gray Zone" and Great Power Competition [Lecture notes].
Meister, S. (2016, July 25). The "Lisa case": Germany as a Target of Russian Disinformation. Retrieved from The "Lisa case": Germany as a target of Russian disinformation
Pindjak, P. (2014, November 18). Deterring Hybrid Warfare: A chance for NATO and the EU to
Work Together?. Retrieved from Deterring hybrid warfare: a chance for NATO and the EU to work together?
Pomerleau, M. (2020, October 5). Why is the United States Losing the Information War?. Retrieved from Why is the United States losing the information war?
About the Author(s)
Bridget Bachman
Bridget Bachman is an active duty Captain with operational experience in Eastern Europe. She is currently serving as a Detachment Commander in the 6th Psychological Operations Battalion (Airborne).
