Now where to start, ok I'll do it this way.

Yes, Russia Is Using Ancient Tanks in Combat in Ukraine. But Not as Tanks.

I hope that they have plenty of spare barrels for them as Russia Claims Its Vaunted T-14 Armata Tanks Finally Began Combat Tests in Ukraine, but I would read too much into that as they'll likely get used in the same way as those old T-54's.

Meanwhile in the other corner U.S. Abrams tanks arrive in Germany; Ukrainians to begin training in weeks and the Ukraine denies Russia destroyed Patriot missile defence system

And Days after mysterious FBI raid on Russian’s Trump Towers III unit, the reason is revealed.

Yes, Russia Is Using Ancient Tanks in Combat in Ukraine. But Not as Tanks.

Probably not going to be very good at that.
Max range is about 10 miles, as max elevation is 18°, artillery gun max elevation is about 70° or higher, but only with help in the form of firing tables and something to measure elevation, as sights only work to 6,600 yds (3.7 miles).
Tanks use rounds that are similar to bullets in personal weapons, not a shell plus bags of explosive charges. So varying the elevation is only way to adjust range.
Tank barrels are not designed to fire round after round day in, day out, so they will overheat and droop reducing accuracy and shell velocity.

If your weapon doesn't do what Putin says, off with your head.

May 17 (Reuters) - Three Russian academics who have worked on hypersonic missile technology face "very serious accusations", the Kremlin said on Wednesday, in a treason investigation that has spread alarm through Russia's scientific community.

PooTin's orcs are still falling back from around Bakhmut and the ex-Chef isn't happy.

Russian forces in retreat near Bakhmut, Ukraine and Wagner say.

Meanwhile PooTin's latest missile barrage has lost by 1-29 and those new 1's don't look to be all that good.

Russian 'Kalibr' Cruise Missile Hits Crimea.

And all the rest of what PooTin won't want to hear.

Ukraine Admits It Assassinated Russian Propagandists.

NATO Forges Secret Plans Against Russia, 'We Are Ready To Fight Tonight'.

Russia Facing Biggest Crisis Since World War II, State TV Guest Says.

But 1 of PooTin's crooks have come up with yet another lowlife act.

Russian Lawmaker Proposes Using Stray Dogs in Military as Troops Struggle.

Just another day driving in Ukraine
Ukraine war: Dashcam captures moment missile debris falls onto Kyiv road

Dashcam footage shows the moment missile debris crashed down on a street in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv.

The incident happened on 29 May and came during a rare daytime attack on the city. No injuries were reported.

The way the missile falls suggests it was intercepted by air defences before it could reach its target. The BBC matched the dashcam footage to video from a nearby security camera and photographs in media reports.

The fragments were later collected by police for further investigation.

PooTin's orcs have pulled off another lowlife act.

Nova Kakhovka Dam blown up in Ukraine's Kherson region, settlements being evacuated.

Zelensky's Defiant Message After Destruction of Kakhovka Dam.

Well it might save some running orcs from getting their backsides chewed off, but there could be consequences.

Nova Kakhovka Dam Destruction Threatens One of Putin's Biggest Wins.

Now that PooTin's orcs have gone from a scorched earth policy to a "Drowned-Earth Strategy" the Toxic Flood from Dam Breach Having Largest Impact on Russian-held Territory.

Then there's the orcs that can't tell farm equipment from tanks.

'Leopard' Tank Blown Up in Russian Video Turns Out to Be Ukrainian Tractor.

They must of been afraid of getting sprayed, harvested or being plowed under as they keep on taking down their own aircraft.

Russia Accidentally Takes Down Its Own Drone Over Crimea.

Instead of F-16 Fighting Falcons I wonder if Zelensky will accept a few old surplus F/A-18 Hornets?

Retired Australian F/A-18 Hornet jets a step closer to joining Ukraine's war effort.

That only requires U.S. approval.

Drone images of collapsed dam show ruined structure, devastation and no signs of life.

...Ukraine has long requested Western fighter jets from its international backers, and experts say the F-16 is the best choice of fourth-generation fighter for Ukraine's air force. But although several countries have joined an "international coalition" of fighter jets, no nation has yet promised to furnish Kyiv with these aircraft.....

That was until yesterday.

Why F-18 Hornets Will Make Ukraine Even More Dangerous in Aerial Combat.

How 'Hornet' F-18 Jets Compare to U.S. F-16s.

F-16 vs F-18: Key Differences Between the US Air Force’s Most Iconic Fighters.

So each has their advantages and disadvantages, but both will do in the end, and we all know why PooTin's orcs really blew the dam.

Ukraine’s Counteroffensive Has Begun.

But the orcs have another problem while running with their retreat, other than the flood they created.

Russian forces battling Ukraine's assault are discovering a nasty danger behind them, courtesy of the US.

Though it hasn't stopped the orcs from whining about their criminal situation.

Russian Soldiers Complain That 'Entire Regiments' Are Being Wiped Out.

Or the infighting amongst so called comrades.

Captured Russian Colonel Claims Wagner 'Tortured and Raped' His Soldiers.

And even tiny Greta had something to say to little PooTin.

Thunberg Rips Russia Over Ecocide in Kakhovka Dam 'Atrocity'.

Meanwhile, those windows still havn't been made safe.

Another Russian Official Mysteriously Falls From Window to His Death.

As PooTin's orcs are Accused of Shelling, shooting Sabotaging Ukraine Flood Evacuations PooTin has finally stated that ‘Significant Losses,’ Inferior Weapons in Stunning War Admission while near the front Three Russian cities close to Ukraine report drone hits on same day as reports finally come in that the Ukraine sends Western tanks into battle for the first time to bolster counteroffensive.

Though a report just out says that PooTin is Plotting 'Worse Than Chernobyl' Disaster at Chemical Plant. :-O

“That is certainly much clearer today than when it was first planned,” Mr. Weil said. “Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we know that the European security architecture, as we have assumed it for decades, no longer functions, and that national defense must therefore have a much greater significance.”

NATO's wake up call
Think it's about time the UN received a drastic wake up call.

The Good and Excellent:


Valery Zaluzhny, the man behind Ukraine's counter-offensive
wrote:

... Gen Valery Zaluzhny, Ukraine's 49-year-old commander-in-chief. Little known until recently, his popularity now rivals that of President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Gen Zaluzhny, or "our Valera" as friends and old classmates like to call him, was appointed commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian military in July 2021.

Those who know him well say the appointment, pushed through personally by President Zelensky, came as a surprise to the general and many others...

... modern commander, but also an unpretentious man who liked to joke with his subordinates and didn't put on airs. Within seven months he was leading Ukraine's defence against full-scale invasion...

... Many other crucial decisions followed and by early April 2022 Ukrainian troops pushed the Russian army back to the north and east of Kyiv...

... As the war ground on, President Zelensky played a key role in maintaining the morale of the Ukrainian public through his nightly addresses. He pushed an image of strong governance while exerting pressure on foreign partners for financial and military support.

Gen Zaluzhny's focus was on getting military strategy right...

And the Badly ugly:


Putin claims Ukraine counter-offensive is failing
wrote:

Russian President Vladimir Putin claims that Ukraine's counter-offensive has been unsuccessful, with its army suffering major losses.

Speaking at a meeting of war correspondents, he said that Kyiv's losses were approaching a "catastrophic" level.

That has not been verified, and Ukrainian President Zelensky has denied the counter-offensive is failing.

"There is movement forward," he said in his nightly video address. He thanked Ukrainian troops for "every step and every metre of Ukrainian land that is being liberated from Russian evil"...

... most of Mr Putin's statements during his meeting with war correspondents were typically self-congratulatory...

Note also how much of the Russian rhetoric is in the abstract and is turgidly circumlocutory around many confused bushes ...


Stay safe folks...
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

Things are still not going well for PooTin and his orcs.

Ukraine forces advance in counteroffensive, as Russia announces plans for elections in occupied territories.

Russian military bloggers are losing their minds over reports that a Russian unit was blasted by artillery while waiting 2 hours for their commander to give a motivational speech.

Russian Losses in Bakhmut 'Nine Times' More Than Ukraine's.

Russia Is Shelling Those Saving Kakhovka Flood Victims, Rescuer Says.

Russian Soldiers Admit Military Is Shooting Its Own Members.

Russia Has Lost Many More Helicopters in Ukraine Than in Chechen Wars.

Meanwhile Ukraine's Counteroffensive Pushes in Three Directions as a Zelensky adviser hints real Ukraine counteroffensive yet to begin.

Russian Losses in Bakhmut 'Nine Times' More Than Ukraine's.

A lot of people thought Ukraine's commmanders were nuts to slog it out in Bakhmut when the entire town is basically trashed, and this was the reason suspected. (Crazy like a fox?) Wow... 9x is more than I would have guessed.

---

PooTin bombed Kyiv while they visited.

Ukraine bombarded with fresh attacks as African leaders visit Kyiv.

Then in Russia.

War in Ukraine must stop, South Africa’s Ramaphosa tells PooTin.

Followed by the usual PooTin B.S..

PooTin lectures African leaders seeking to mediate Russia-Ukraine war.

While PooTin and his lackeys continue to lie to the people his orcs are suffering in the meat grinder.

Kremlin Bizarrely Claims Goal of Demilitarizing Ukraine 'Largely Completed'.

Russian Losses Highest Since Peak of Bakhmut Battle Amid Counteroffensive.

Russian Soldiers Fleeing Front Line in Face of Counteroffensive.

Ukraine's Counteroffensive Pushing in Four Sectors.

Video Shows Smoke Billowing Into Sky After Strike on Russian Ammo Depot.

PooTin's orcs arn't fairing very well in this war.

Russia Floods Front Lines With 'Low-Quality Forces'.

Ukrainian special ops forces who stormed a Russian trench in an intense video did 'everything right' and took their enemy by surprise, US infantry veteran says.

Video Shows Russian Tanks Destroyed, Huge Blasts as Village Liberated.

Russia Sends Out Dire Ukraine Warning as Preparations Made to Evacuate.

PooTin Is Now Very Worried About Crimea.

Russia's Railways Keep Exploding.

But orc landmines are slowing things down.

Ukraine Map Reveals How Counteroffensive Against Russia is Progressing.

Ukraine strikes bridge to Crimea, says Russia.

But then they said that they didn't blow those dams either to cover their retreating backsides.

All is not well amongst PooTin's orcs.

Wagner Leader Declares War on Russian Military After Alleged Attack.

Russian mercenary chief appears to threaten rebellion, questions invasion.

PooTin's FSB accuses Wagner Group warlord of 'armed mutiny'.

Prigozhin Says Putin's Reason for Invading Ukraine Was a Lie.

PooTin is Underestimating Prigozhin's Rise in Popularity.

And yet again Russia continues to threaten the use of nukes.

Russia Ambassador Warns U.S. Resolution Pushes for Nuclear War Over Ukraine.

Comparisons can be made about PooTin and his orcs with Donny and his MAGA RINO's, they're all losers.

The in-fighting between Wagner and the Russian state is looking quite serious...
Old adage - a house that fights itself is a house that falls.

Will this be the downfall of Putin and his gang, only to be replaced by Prigozhin and his gang. And how much will that weaken Russia's internal structures?

---

Bob Smith
Member of Seti PIPPS (Pluto is a Planet Protest Society)
Somewhere in the (un)known Universe?