Aidan Aslin has also written a book about his time in Russian captivity, which I'll probably read at some point.
I posted a podcast interview of him a while back.
Guy's a real hero, it must be terrifying for anyone living in russian captivity or under their occupation.
Sounds like he got treated better than most because he was a valuable British prisoner, they still tortured him.
Putin's Russia is just a disgusting terrorist state that fills every level with monsters. I think a huge mistake the west is making is that we just don't realise how sick and brutal they're willing to be to expand the russian empire.
We have a chance to defeat them cheaply with zero dead NATO soldiers now. If we don't take it the costs will go through the roof when russia goes back for the Baltics.
Looks recent, three more Russian vehicles taken out by Stepove north of Avdiivka.
It's insanity. You can see how small the village is on the map, and Russia has been attacking it solidly for 2 months. Look how sparse the tree cover is, it's a hellscape.
I wanted to share videos but there are just russian corpses everywhere.
One of the major battles right now is north of Avdiivka.
Here's a timeline. You can see that during December they've tried to "widen" the position up to Stepove village, like I expected a couple of weeks ago. I expect them to keep pushing really hard here, there's even a chance we'll see another attack with hundreds of armoured vehicles like on the 10th October.
I find it suspicious they announce 4 the day after Ukraine claims 3. And also after they already announce they've destroyed every Ukrainian jet 2-4 times over.
Ukraine claiming they took down another jet with perhaps a Patriot being involved.
They were right about getting 2-3 in one attack recently, but have a history of claiming too many kills e.g. they see a missile explode in the distance and assume it killed the aircraft, but the russians actually got away.
There should be confirmation either way within days. I won't believe it until then.
EDIT: also an Su-30 claimed near Odesa. Let's wait and see.
I find it suspicious they announce 4 the day after Ukraine claims 3. And also after they already announce they've destroyed every Ukrainian jet 2-4 times over.
One russian channel says they shot down 6 F-16s recently. 😂
According to the Dutch who are supplying the F-16s, the first set of 18 are currently being upgraded and will be sent to Ukraine soon.
Ukraine claiming they took down another jet with perhaps a Patriot being involved.
They were right about getting 2-3 in one attack recently, but have a history of claiming too many kills e.g. they see a missile explode in the distance and assume it killed the aircraft, but the russians actually got away.
There should be confirmation either way within days. I won't believe it until then.
EDIT: also an Su-30 claimed near Odesa. Let's wait and see.
Upgrade to two Russian planes last night 5 in total in a few days, they might have countless planes but experienced pilot's they can’t keep churning out.
Ukraine claiming they took down another jet with perhaps a Patriot being involved.
They were right about getting 2-3 in one attack recently, but have a history of claiming too many kills e.g. they see a missile explode in the distance and assume it killed the aircraft, but the russians actually got away.
There should be confirmation either way within days. I won't believe it until then.
EDIT: also an Su-30 claimed near Odesa. Let's wait and see.
Upgrade to two Russian planes last night 5 in total in a few days, they might have countless planes but experienced pilot's they can’t keep churning out.
Sadly the reliable Russian source I follow says the two from yesterday are fine, no losses. 😢
I believe them more than the Ukrainian general staff for losses.
It seems like it's easy to accidentally believe you took out an aircraft. Their chaff makes a missile explode but it's miles away so you see a boom and assume you destroyed the target. Or they drop off radar after you fired your missile and you assume they're down but they just dropped too low etc.
I find it suspicious they announce 4 the day after Ukraine claims 3. And also after they already announce they've destroyed every Ukrainian jet 2-4 times over.
One russian channel says they shot down 6 F-16s recently. 😂
According to the Dutch who are supplying the F-16s, the first set of 18 are currently being upgraded and will be sent to Ukraine soon.
Oh no they claim they destroyed them on the ground.
The "proof" was a photo of 6 destroyed Russian Su-24 jets from the Ukrainian strike on russian-occupied Saky airbase summer 2022 😂
It's doubly funny because when Ukraine destroyed those jets the official russian propaganda was "aviation equipment was not damaged".
Just like the stories of Zelenskyy buying yachts with aid money, russia and pro-russians lie like they breathe.
Now Ukraine is claiming they hit another Russian military transport ship.
Lots of people posting similar looking images but nothing reliable yet.
I'm feeling hopeful that tomorrow will bring good news though! Satellite images showed the ship was docked in Crimea yesterday and the videos look kinda like that area...
Which as we know means the images are correct, it’s been obliterated.
Ukraine have basically taken over the Black Sea without a navy.
This should be sending shockwaves throughout the planners of modern navies everywhere.
Ukrainians are claiming that this is a photo of the aftermath. I have no expertise in weaponry, maritime affairs or photographic analysis but if this is genuine, it appears to have either sunk at its berth and/or had its superstructure blown apart. That level of damage would appear to be excessive?
I've seen an unverified rumour that it was carrying armaments from Iran, which could explain a more powerful explosion (think HMS Hood), but at this stage this should be treated as nothing more than wishful thinking or mischief-making.
Which as we know means the images are correct, it’s been obliterated.
Ukraine have basically taken over the Black Sea without a navy.
This should be sending shockwaves throughout the planners of modern navies everywhere.
Ukrainians are claiming that this is a photo of the aftermath. I have no expertise in weaponry, maritime affairs or photographic analysis but if this is genuine, it appears to have either sunk at its berth and/or had its superstructure blown apart. That level of damage would appear to be excessive?
I've seen an unverified rumour that it was carrying armaments from Iran, which could explain a more powerful explosion (think HMS Hood), but at this stage this should be treated as nothing more than wishful thinking or mischief-making.
There was a massive explosion that was caught on camera….
Ukrainians are claiming that this is a photo of the aftermath. I have no expertise in weaponry, maritime affairs or photographic analysis but if this is genuine, it appears to have either sunk at its berth and/or had its superstructure blown apart. That level of damage would appear to be excessive?
I've seen an unverified rumour that it was carrying armaments from Iran, which could explain a more powerful explosion (think HMS Hood), but at this stage this should be treated as nothing more than wishful thinking or mischief-making.
There was a massive explosion that was caught on camera….
From what limited knowledge I've gathered on the subject, a large secondary explosion would appear to be consistent with ammo detonating.
More reports relating to the power of the explosion:
I wouldn't read anything into the above claim regarding casualties, though. 87 appears to be the minimum standard complement of one of these ships and it's most likely a lazy bit of shit-stirring.
Those ships can’t leave then re enter the Black Sea or have they been using the ships to take them from Russia to Crimea?
The Ropuchas have apparently been ferrying supplies to Crimea, as the Kerch Bridge is vulnerable (yeah, I know) and has been put out of action, temporarily, on a couple of occasions.
Any Iranian goods destined for Russia can just go directly, and safely, via the Caspian Sea.