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☆ Russia is using heavily modified Ka-52M aircraft in Ukraine and has equipped its fleet with long-range anti-tank missiles, says UK intel
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ka-52 attack helicopters have given Russia a strong advantage in Ukraine, the UK MOD said. Russia has now started using heavily modified versions of the aircraft in southern Ukraine, it said. Dutch open-source intelligence group Oryx said that 38 Russian Ka-52 attack helicopters have been visually confirmed as lost since the start of the invasion. Insider reported in November 2022 that the helicopters had been used more than any other attack helicopter by Russia in its invasion. At that time, more than 25% of the Russian Air Force's in-service Ka-52 fleet had been shot down, the UK MOD said.

Organizations: MOD, Service, Russia, UK Ministry of Defence, NATO, Russian Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Zaporizhzhia, Russian, Syria

☆ China is sending enough military gear, including drones, to Russia to equip an army, thanks to a loophole in the West's attempts to stop Putin's war machine: report
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Russian buyers are ordering significant amounts of Chinese military equipment, Politico reported. Russia has imported more than $100 million of drones from China this year alone, the report found. China has repeatedly denied sending military equipment to Russia since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. But the US said it had not seen any evidence that China had given Russia weapons or lethal aid. Ukraine is also a customer for Chinese weapons, though Politico reported that its imports of many types of Chinese equipment have plummeted in 2023.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, hasn't, Helena Legarda Organizations: Politico, Service, Privacy, China, Ukraine, The Washington Post, Win, UK Ministry of Defence, Mercator Institute for China Studies Locations: Russia, China, Wall, Silicon, Ukraine, Shanghai, Russian, Bakhmut

☆ Russia's massive exploding tank bombs make a big boom but don't do much damage, UK intel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia is filling armored vehicles with explosives and directing them at Ukraine's troops, the UK MOD said. The MOD said there was a good chance Chechen forces were pioneering the use of the tactic. According to the UK MOD, most uses of this tactic have been recorded near Marinka, a city in eastern Ukraine that has been obliterated in the fighting. "There is a realistic possibility that Chechen forces are pioneering the tactic," the MOD said. Chechen forces have mostly been operating outside of Russia's military command during the conflict, but recently signed contracts with Russia's defense ministry to be brought under the ministry's control.

Persons: hasn't, Romanov_92, Mark Hertling, Sam Fellman Organizations: MOD, Service, UK Ministry of Defence, Twitter, Chechen Locations: Russia, Wall, Silicon, Ukrainian, Marinka, Ukraine

☆ Russia wants to tempt back the talented youth who ditched it for invading Ukraine, but hasn't figured out how, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Thousands, if not millions, of Russians have fled the country since it invaded Ukraine last year. Russian officials are now trying to get them to return, The Moscow Times reported. Now Russian officials are trying to lure them back, The Moscow Times reported. One politician suggested that Russians who come back should be investigated for treason, the report highlighted as an example. The Moscow Times reported that this prompted more Russian officials to make new open calls for citizens to come back.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, they've Organizations: Moscow Times, Service, UK Ministry of Defence Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Russia

☆ The Storm Shadow missile is 'absolutely critical' to Ukraine's counter-offensive, say experts. But Ukraine needs to use it carefully.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Ukraine has received powerful Storm Shadow missiles from the UK, and appears to be putting them to use. A hole in the Chonhar bridge that connects Russian-held Kherson to Crimea, which Russia says was caused by a Storm Shadow missile strike. When that happens, "Storm Shadow will be absolutely critical in making it difficult for the Russians to react," he said. An RAF 41 Squadron Tornado GR4, preparing to test fire four Storm Shadow missiles over the Atlantic Ocean. Celebrity weaponsThere's no doubt that when wielded effectively, the Storm Shadow is a major piece of the counter-offensive puzzle.

Persons: Ben Wallace, Michael Clarke, Marina Miron, Clarke, Vladimir Saldo, Ukraine's, Jake Epstein, hasn't, It's, Oleksii Reznikov, Oleksii, Miron, Cpl Mark Parkinson, Ukraine ATACMS Organizations: Russian, Service, Royal United Services Institute, Storm, Defence Studies Department, London's King's, Storm Shadow, Raytheon, Russia's Ministry of Defense, Ukraine Defence, Forbes, 7th Bomber Regiment, UK Defence, RAF, Squadron Tornado, UK Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Defence, Street Journal Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Russia, Kherson, Crimea, Berdyansk, Russian, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainian, Soviet, West

☆ Russia is failing to look after its injured soldiers, with around half of deaths preventable and military hospitals likely being reserved for officers, UK intel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Russia is "struggling with a crisis of medical combat provision," a UK intelligence update said. Up to half of fatalities were preventable, and hospitals are likely being reserved for officers, it said. As a result, "Russia is almost certainly struggling with a crisis of medical combat provision," it said. It also said that claims made by a Russian official that up to 50% of Russia's combat fatalities were preventable are likely true. "Very slow casualty evacuation, combined with the inappropriate use of the crude in-service Russian combat tourniquet, is reportedly a leading cause of preventable fatalities and amputations," it said.

Organizations: MOD, Service, Russia, UK Ministry of Defence Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Russian

☆ Pardoned Wagner convicts are once again committing crimes, and Russian authorities are trying to cover it up, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Former prisoners pardoned after fighting with the Wagner Group in Ukraine have returned to Russia. Some, including those convicted of murder, are committing violent crimes again, per Russia's Verstka. And Russian authorities are trying to hide the cases, including in court documents, it reported. Independent Russian outlet Verstka said it discovered recent cases against former Wagner fighters when it looked at court documents. UK intelligence said in March that half of all Russian prisoners recruited to fight in Ukraine had likely been killed or wounded.

Persons: Russia's Wagner, Wagner, Verstka, Yevgeny Prigozhin Organizations: Wagner Group, Service, Independent, Internal Affairs, CBS News, UK Ministry of Defence Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Wall, Silicon, Independent Russian, Russian, Moscow, Belarus

☆ Take a look at the first images of Wagner mercenaries descending on strategic Russian city in an apparent armed rebellion against Putin
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( Isobel Van Hagen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Wagner group troops descended on Rostov-on-Don in Russia in an apparent armed mutiny. Images show the armed fighters on armored vehicles in the streets of the strategic Russian city. On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the Wagner group's actions a "betrayal," and vowed to quell the mutiny. Videos on social media appear to show Wagner group soldiers descending on the strategic Rostov-on-Don on Saturday after the group's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said that Russia's defense ministry "must be stopped." Take a look at the first images of the Wagner fighters descending on the city of Rostov-on-Don on Saturday.

Persons: Wagner, —, Vladimir Putin, Yevgeny Prigozhin Organizations: Don, UK Ministry of Defence, Service, Russian Southern Military District Locations: Rostov, Russia, Russian, Moscow, Ukraine

☆ Russia has doubled its pens of trained dolphins near Ukraine to guard its ships from attack by enemy divers, UK intel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Russia has ramped up its trained dolphin force that protects its Black Sea fleet, UK intelligence said. Russia has been training dolphins in the Black Sea since the Cold War, according to the United States Naval Institute. The MOD also noted Russia's documented use of marine animals elsewhere, saying "Russia has trained animals for a range of missions." Russia's Black Sea fleet includes attack submarines and vessels with long-range strike capabilities and air defense missiles. Russia accused Ukraine of launching drone attacks on the fleet earlier this month, after Ukraine started its long-awaited counteroffensive.

Persons: — Organizations: British Ministry of Defence, Service, Russia, UK Ministry of Defence, MOD, Google, United States Naval Institute, Maxar Technologies, Naval News, US Navy, Washington Post Locations: Russia, Sevastopol, Ukraine, Crimea, Norway, Petersburg, Sweden, Iraq, Ukrainian, Ukraine's Kherson

☆ Attack helicopters are giving Russia the edge in the skies over southern Ukraine, says UK intel
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( Bethany Dawson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The UK Ministry of Defence said Russia's attack helicopters gave Putin's forces "a temporary advantage." Of all the Russian Air Force's attack helicopters, the Ka-52 is perhaps the most widely used. According to the latest UK Ministry of Defence briefing, Russian troops have reinforced its attack helicopter forces, allowing them to gain "a temporary advantage in southern Ukraine, especially with attack helicopters employing longer-range missiles against ground targets." Of all the Russian Air Force's attack helicopters, the Ka-52 is perhaps the most widely used. Featuring an unusual coaxial rotor design and a side-by-side crew seating arrangement, Insider reported that it has been on the frontline and involved in the thickest fighting more than any other Russian attack helicopter since Russia's attack began in February 2022.

Persons: —, h. Organizations: UK Ministry of Defence, Russian Air, Service, — Ministry of Defence Locations: Ukraine

☆ Russian attempts to waste Ukraine's advanced air-defense missiles with cheap drones are failing, UK intel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The goal was to get Ukraine to waste its valuable stock of air defense missiles, the UK MOD said. But the efforts failed, with 90% shot down without Ukraine needing to use advanced missiles, it said. Russia's failure to get Ukraine to waste its advanced air defense missiles comes alongside Russia's inability to destroy Ukrainian air defence systems, the UK MOD added. Ukraine has a variety of air defense systems, including the advanced Patriot missile systems it received from the US and European allies. The UK MOD also said that Russia was likely trying to "locate and strike Ukrainian forces well behind the front line," but without much success.

Persons: — Organizations: MOD, Service, Russia, UK Ministry of Defence, Patriot Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Ukrainian

☆ Russia deployed its feared thermobaric missile launcher on its own territory to repel an attack by insurgents, UK intel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Russia said it deployed at least one thermobaric missile launcher on its own territory, per the UK MOD. Russia said it was to repel attacks, as Russian rebel groups raided Belgorod. It shows Russia has a dilemma between using weapons on its own territory or in Ukraine, the MOD said. Russia has previously deployed thermobaric rocket launchers in Ukraine, according to Ukrainian officials, who shared footage of their forces destroying one. The UK MOD said that with the equipment deployed, the "Russia military and interior forces have likely seen quicker success in containing this raid than the previous one."

Persons: —, Vladimir Putin Organizations: MOD, Service, UK Ministry of Defence, Russian, Forbes, Russia, Liberty of Russia Legion, Russian Volunteer Corps, of Russia Legion, Russia Legion Locations: Russia, Belgorod, Ukraine, Russia's, Belgorod —, Liberty, Russians, Russian

☆ Russia is caught between using its military to fight attacks within its own borders and invading Ukraine, UK intel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The UK MOD said it shows how Russia caught in a "dilemma" about how to use its strength. The UK Ministry of Defence said in an update on Friday that recent attacks in the Russian region of Belgorod, which borders Ukraine, left Russia's military with hard choices to make. The UK MOD said "partisan groups" attacked the city on Thursday, for the second time in 10 days, though it didn't name any. That shows the decision Russia's military now has about where to use its weaponry. The Liberty of Russia Legion says it cooperates with Ukraine's military, though Ukraine denied any involvement with attacks in Russia and said the group is made up entirely of dissident Russians.

Persons: —, Vladimir Putin, Putin, they've Organizations: MOD, Service, UK Ministry of Defence, Russia, Liberty of Russia Legion, Putin, Russian Volunteer Corps, Russia Legion Locations: Russia, Ukrainian, Ukraine, Russian, Belgorod, Russia's, Liberty, Vladivostok, Putin Russian

☆ Russian state media calling for unpaid 6th day of work to fund Ukraine invasion, Western intel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-28 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russian state media and businesses are petitioning for a 6-day work week to fund war in Ukraine. The extra work day would likely come without additional pay, according to UK intelligence. Multiple 4-day work week trials in the UK and Spain have reported positive results for employees. The additional work day is marking a shift towards "mandating citizens to actively make sacrifices in support of the war effort." "I recommend that the elite of the Russian Federation gathers up, bitch, its youth and send them to war."

☆ Ukraine has squeezed out of the US-Patriot missile system a capability that the Pentagon did not think possible, military analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ukraine claims it has used US-made Patriot missile systems to down Russian hypersonic missiles. The weapons are among the most advanced surface-to-air missiles sent to Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have claimed they have used the weapon to shoot down several Russian hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, which Moscow previously boasted were unstoppable. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had long been requesting the US to send defensive surface-to-air missile systems, which can strike aircraft, cruise missiles, and shorter-range ballistic missiles. It is unclear how many Patriot missile systems Ukraine has, but they are among the most advanced surface-to-air missiles sent to Ukraine.

☆ Russia is fortifying its 600-mile front line with anti-tank ditches, mazes of trenches, 'dragon's teeth' barricades, and minefields, reports say
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Satellite images show the scale of Russia's new defenses as Ukraine preps for a counteroffensive. Russia has constructed miles of trenches, rows of concrete "dragon's teeth," and minefields. Much of the defense focuses on Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, which Ukraine wants back. Military analysts told the Financial Times that Russia's defenses won't be enough to stop Ukraine moving forward, but will likely slow down its efforts. And it has also done so along the northern border of Luhansk province in eastern Ukraine, the Financial Times said.

☆ Russia's position has 'never looked weaker' after Ukraine said it downed Putin's 'unstoppable' missiles, defense expert says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( Isobel Van Hagen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia has 'never looked weaker,' a researcher at the Oslo Nuclear Project told Sky News. This comes after Ukraine said it repelled multiple of Russia's 'undefeatable' Kinzhal missiles. Furthermore, Hoffmann believes Russia's military position will only get worse because it has used all of the equipment in its arsenal, he told Sky. Russian missiles are intercepted en masse, while Ukraine has finally started to receive its own long-range strike capabilities with the British Storm Shadow." After writing, "If I was a Russian nuclear strategist today, I would be very worried," on Twitter on Tuesday, Hoffman later addressed and outlined some of the contentions surrounding the Russian missiles and Ukraine's defense systems.

☆ Kremlin-funded university that trains Russia’s future leaders is firing all staff living outside Russia, in another sign of Putin crackdown: report
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Russia's top university for public officials is firing all its employees living abroad, per a report. RANEPA is known as Russia's breeding ground for future ministers, civil servants, and governors. The move comes amid Russia's ongoing crackdown on public dissent, which has ramped up since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. RANEPA is known as one of the top destinations for Russia's public servants and administrative class, churning out future regional governors, civil servants, and ministers. The UK Ministry of Defence also commented on a likely ban on senior Russian officials quitting their posts on Thursday.

☆ Embarrassed by Ukraine downing its 'unstoppable' missiles, Russia is now scrambling to attack its air defenses, UK intel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

This comes after Ukraine shot down Kinzhal missiles that Russia bragged were unstoppable. Russia claimed it destroyed one Patriot air defense system, but US officials said it was still operational. KILLJOY is NATO's term for Russia's advanced Kinzhal missiles, which Russia has previously described as unstoppable. Russia's defence ministry said on Tuesday that a Russian missile destroyed one Patriot air defense system in Kyiv. The US decided to give Ukraine the Patriot defense system last year, after Ukraine asked allies for air defense help to repel Russian attacks.

☆ Russia's military is copying the Wagner playbook of recruiting prisoners to fight in Ukraine, with up to 10,000 signing up in April alone, UK intel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia's military is recruiting fighters for Ukraine directly from prisons, UK intelligence said. The method was previously used by the pro-Kremlin Wagner Group, but it lost access earlier this year. Other investigations have also found Russia is recruiting prisoners to fight. Getting prisoners to fight in Ukraine was a tactic widely used by the Wagner Group, a private mercenary force that has sent tens of thousands of prisoners to Ukraine. It is not clear exactly how many prisoners Wagner sent to Ukraine before it lost access to prisons earlier this year.

☆ Russia's army took just 6.8 square miles of Ukrainian territory in April, less than a 0.02% increase, US think tank says, as military losses mount
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia increased its Ukraine territory by 0.016% in April, the Institute for the Study of War told Insider. That's just 6.76 square miles, as its troop losses continue and Ukraine readies for a counterattack. Washington DC-based think tank Institute for the Study of War told Insider that Russia held just 6.76 square miles more Ukrainian territory on April 31 than it did in April 1, according to its mapping data. Russia saw territorial gains of 0.039% in February, the think tank previously told Insider, followed by 0.28% in March, the equivalent of 115.9 square miles. Ukraine's prime minister told Sky News last week that the offensive will start at the "proper time, when it will be absolutely ready."

☆ Just one old tank, and no aircraft, were present at Russia's much-reduced Victory Parade this year, reflecting its major losses in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia's Victory Day celebrations were scaled back this year. Russia's military has been degraded in Ukraine, and experts said it planned smaller celebrations to hide that. Tuesday's military parade in Moscow did not include an air display or any military jets over the capital city. Russia also cancelled its Moscow Victory Day aerial display last year, the first event since it launched its invasion of Ukraine. Russia needs a lot of its equipment in Ukraine that it would usually show off in the parades, the ISW noted.

☆ Photos show how Putin massively scaled back his Victory Day celebrations compared to the ostentatious military displays of previous years
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Photos from this year compared to previous years show how much the Victory Day parade has changed:A Soviet T-34 tank during the Victory Day Red Square Parade on May 9, 2023, in Moscow, Russia. Russian tanks in Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, May 9, 2021. Armored vehicles drive past the Kremlin after a military parade on Victory Day, with an empty sky, on May 9, 2023. Russian soldiers march toward Red Square to attend a Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 9, 2023. A Russian service member walks across a street before a military parade on Victory Day in Moscow, Russia, on May 9 2023.

☆ The Russian military is trying to recruit Central Asian migrant workers to fight in Ukraine to avoid another mandatory mobilization, UK intel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia is attempting to recruit Central Asian migrants to fight in Ukraine, UK intelligence said. They are reportedly being enticed with high payments and offers of a fast track to Russian citizenship. Russia is likely trying to avoid another mandatory mobilization to minimize domestic anger. Recruiters have visited mosques and immigration offices, where staff who speak Tajik and Uzek attempt to recruit migrants, the update said. The attempts to recruit migrants come amid reports that Russia is trying to sign up 400,000 additional soldiers.

☆ Russia is using the supposed Kremlin drone strike as an excuse to scale back its Victory Day celebrations and hide its military losses, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia is reducing its large-scale Victory Day parades, which are used to show its military strength. Experts said it is using an alleged Kremlin drone strike as an excuse to scale them back. But Russia likely wants to conceal its military losses in Ukraine, the ISW said. The ISW said the Kremlin "likely hopes to limit typical May 9 events to conceal the degradation of the Russian military." Russian T-90M and T-14 Armata tanks parade through Red Square during the rehearsal of the Victory Day military parade on May 7, 2022.

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