Recent content by Spitfire9

UK forces have boarded a tanker sailing through the English Channel. The tanker is said to be part of the 'shadow fleet' carrying Russian crude.

BBC reports that Pakistan says a 60 day ceasefire extension has been arranged in principle.

This policy of asset seizure to finance the war won't provide enough funds to cover anything close to war costs. The Russian government is spending a great deal more money than it is receiving. Gold reserves to go next? Bank deposits to be converted to government bonds? Companies to be seized...

I imagine that tourism is of great importance to Crimea's economy. I believe that historically around 6 million Russians go there on vacation each year. If they cannot get there by car without having to approach from the south via the Kerch bridge and, once there, cannot easily leave to return...

Ukraine has a massive number of drones. Russia has a massive number of drones. There is currently no system providing 100% effective defence against them. Whoever occupies Crimea cannot defend against swarm attacks. I can see Crimea becoming a sort of no man's land, being within range of...

Spain will have planned funding for FCAS. I am under the impression that KAAN would benefit from more funding. Is there any chance of Spain becoming involved?

Russian press is reporting fuel shortages. It also reports hotel bookings in Crimea for the period May 26 - June 4 were 31% down on last year. The rate of cancelled hotel bookings has doubled compared with last year.

The proposal to slow down KF-21 production has been rejected. https://aviationweek.com/defense/aircraft-propulsion/south-korea-restores-original-kf-21-production-plan

Looks like there was a major explosion in Belgorod, Ammunition perhaps?

For Russians who moved to Crimea after 2014, I wonder how many are starting to plan moving back to Russia in case things get much worse in Crimea. The deterioration in conditions in Crimea is not good for summer holiday bookings by Russians, either - assuming they are known to Russians in Russia.

I wonder how many women and children fled the country when the Russians invaded I wonder how many children were kidnapped by the Russians I wonder how many civilians were killed by the Russians All those need to be deducted from the number of people in Ukraine.

I can see Ukraine making it extremely difficult for Russia to hang on to Crimea by starving it of supplies. If Russia were forced to withdraw, though, how could Ukraine retrieve it and then hold it without experiencing the same problem as Russia - no way to supply the peninsular. Russia...

To me the metric that counts is how many males of military service age there are in Ukraine. The size of the population as a whole is not of great importance. I know women who left Ukraine after the invasion. Many women and children left Ukraine, reducing the population. IIRC males over age 18...

I don't want to look at images of people being wounded or killed. Please keep warning of such content. Putin will not allow his troops to withdraw from Crimea, will he? I read that the 2 roads allowing supply to Crimea from the east are now in range of Ukrainian drones and the Kerch bridge has...