Here we go again-Ukraine once again pt2

[Jimbuna]

Spain auctions off Cold War-era M60 tanks, bypassing Ukraine aid

Spain has finally retired the old M60 tanks, previously used by marine infantry units. The withdrawn equipment is a hope for Ukraine, but Madrid has not decided to send its tanks to the east. Instead, it has put them up for auction. What do we know about this equipment? Until recently, Spain was one of the last NATO users of the M60 Patton tanks—apart from Spain, Pattons are still in service in the armies of Greece and Turkey, where they undergo significant modifications that greatly enhance their capabilities. The Spanish tanks have not undergone such modernization. For years, 16 machines were operated in the M60A3 TTS (Tank Thermal Sight) version. They were assigned to the 11th Armored Company of the 3rd Mechanized Battalion as part of the Tercio de Armada. Since 2017, this equipment has been withdrawn and replaced by wheeled VCR (Vehículos de Combate a Ruedas) Dragon vehicles with 120 mm guns. See also: Can you recognize these fighters and bombers? By discontinuing the use of M60 tanks, Spain decided not to donate this equipment to Ukraine. Instead, the tanks will be put up for auction—the starting price for one piece is almost £47,000, and offers can be submitted until 26 April. The M60 Patton Tank The M60 tank is a relic of the Cold War—it was created in the USA around the same time as the French AMX-30 and German Leopard 1. Compared to its European counterparts, the American tank is more heavily armored and—as proved in subsequent decades—has significant modernization potential. The tank's Achilles' heel is its relatively weak engine with 750 horsepower (HP), which, with a weight reaching 57 tons (about 63 tons), affects its limited mobility—the maximum speed is just 30 mph (around 48 km/h). The M60 is armed with a rifled 105-mm cannon. The M60A3 TTS variant withdrawn by Spain is a tank equipped with a modernized fire control system in the 70s, which, at the time of introduction, was characterized by high capabilities. The tank also features modern observational and target acquisition devices.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world...9cc5a956&ei=21

[Jimbuna]

Russia published fake report about advancement of troops near Bakhmut - ISW

The Russian Ministry of Defense has announced the capture by Russian Southern Group troops of the village of Ivanivske west of Bakhmut. Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War have not yet found visual evidence to confirm these claims, according to the ISW report.

It is noted that positional fighting continues in the Donetsk region: to the northwest of Bakhmut near Bohdanivka; to the west of Bakhmut near Chasiv Yar and within Ivanivske; and to the southwest of Bakhmut near Klishiivka, Andriivka, and New York.

The commander of one of the Ukrainian strike UAV units reported that Russian forces in the Horlivka direction have placed their artillery systems at the maximum distance from the front line, trying to protect them from Ukrainian UAV strikes.
The commander added that such placement of artillery systems complicates the Ukrainian forces' task of striking from a greater distance. Also, according to him, Russian forces are setting traps and decoys for Ukrainian strike UAVs, placing mines on fake equipment elements that detonate when the UAV approaches the target.

The commander also noted that Russian forces remain on the defensive in the Horlivka direction. Near Ivanivske, units of the 58th Separate Guards Special Purpose Battalion (1st AC DPR - Donetsk People's Republic) are operating.

Frontline situation

On March 30, Russian occupiers shelled three cities in the Donetsk region. As a result of enemy strikes, there are casualties and injuries.

The Russians have started adding self-destruct mechanisms to the universal planning and correction modules (UPK) of fragmentation bombs (FAB). This significantly complicates their neutralization.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world...9cc5a956&ei=38

[mapuc]

Can someone tell my why USA is concerned about Ukraine hitting the Russian oil refineries. 'Cause I have read and seen video clips where Ukraine are being told to stop hitting these refineries.

Markus

[Dargo]

High oil prize hurts the elections for the democrats they then get blamed for that and lose voters, that is basically all.

[Dargo]

Putin signs conscription decree calling up 150,000 men for military service

Vladimir Putin has signed a decree setting out the routine spring conscription campaign, calling up 150,000 citizens for statutory military service, a document posted on the Kremlin's website shows. All men in Russia are required to do a year-long military service, or equivalent training during higher education, from the age of 18.

In July, Russia's lower house of parliament voted to raise the maximum age at which men can be conscripted to 30 from 27. The new legislation came into effect on 1 January this year. In Russia, many men go to great lengths to avoid being handed conscription papers during the twice-yearly call-up periods. Conscripts cannot legally be deployed to fight outside Russia and were exempted from a limited mobilisation in 2022 that gathered at least 300,000 men with previous military training to fight in Ukraine - although some conscripts were sent to the front in error.

In September, Mr Putin signed an order calling up 130,000 people for the autumn campaign and last spring Russia planned to conscript 147,000. https://news.sky.com/story/russia-uk...#liveblog-body

[Rockstar]

Originally Posted by mapuc

Can someone tell my why USA is concerned about Ukraine hitting the Russian oil refineries. 'Cause I have read and seen video clips where Ukraine are being told to stop hitting these refineries.

Markus

I don’t really understand why the article was written, rising gas prices? Give me a break, the U.S. banned the importation of Russian, oil, coal, & LNG over a year ago. We don’t import it, we don’t use it, we don’t care.

The only reason I can think of is after hitting the oil refineries half of Ukraine is now sitting in the dark because they couldn’t adequately defend against Russias response. Increasing Ukraine and Wests financial burden by now having to repair it.

Also since the outset the U.S. has only suggested not too. Obviously they don’t have to listen nor should anyone expect them too.

[mapuc]

Originally Posted by Rockstar

I don’t really understand why the article was written, Because the U.S. banned the importation of Russian, oil, coal, & LNG over a year ago. We don’t import it, we don’t use it, we don’t care.

The only reason I can think of is after hitting the oil fields half of Ukraine is now sitting in the dark. Increasing the financial burden of Ukraine and the west supporting them.

It Could be as Dargo wrote.
The oil price may take a peak up and whether US import oil from Russia or not they are following the market.

Otherwise your right-Bombs away.

Markus

[mapuc]

Originally Posted by Dargo

Putin signs conscription decree calling up 150,000 men for military service

Vladimir Putin has signed a decree setting out the routine spring conscription campaign, calling up 150,000 citizens for statutory military service, a document posted on the Kremlin's website shows. All men in Russia are required to do a year-long military service, or equivalent training during higher education, from the age of 18.

In July, Russia's lower house of parliament voted to raise the maximum age at which men can be conscripted to 30 from 27. The new legislation came into effect on 1 January this year. In Russia, many men go to great lengths to avoid being handed conscription papers during the twice-yearly call-up periods. Conscripts cannot legally be deployed to fight outside Russia and were exempted from a limited mobilisation in 2022 that gathered at least 300,000 men with previous military training to fight in Ukraine - although some conscripts were sent to the front in error.

In September, Mr Putin signed an order calling up 130,000 people for the autumn campaign and last spring Russia planned to conscript 147,000. https://news.sky.com/story/russia-uk...#liveblog-body

Markus

[Jimbuna]

Kremlin's "shadow fleet": Circumventing sanctions and the global oil puzzle

The "shadow fleet" allows the Kremlin to circumvent Western sanctions, referring to "a group of outdated ships illegally transporting oil," according to the Polish Institute of International Affairs. Despite sanctions imposed on Russia, the export of oil from the country has not been blocked. According to BBC reports in early February, millions of barrels of fuel made from Russian crude oil are still being imported into the UK despite the sanctions imposed on the Kremlin in relation to the war in Ukraine.

As a result of an existing loophole, Russian crude oil is being refined in third countries, especially in India, and the resulting products are sold to the UK. As the BBC pointed out, this is not illegal and does not violate the British ban on the import of Russian oil but weakens sanctions intended to limit Russian war funds. **"Shadow fleet" and price cap** The G7 countries and the European Union introduced a price cap of around £45 per Russian barrel of oil. This way, the West aimed to strike at the Kremlin's budget. "The sale of oil and oil-derived products before 2022 accounted for about 40 percent of the total value of exports from Russia and provided it with about 30 percent of budget revenues. Most hydrocarbons went to the EU," emphasises Szymon Pastucha from PISM. Moscow, looking for a solution, turned to the "shadow fleet." Its task is to transport oil at a higher price than the sanctions stipulate. The fleet "led to virtually complete circumvention of the sanctions – in February 2023, it accounted for 40 percent of oil transport, and a year later, for almost 80 percent. Persistent effects of the sanctions include increased freight rates, reduction in the volume of commodities sold, and the need to offer discounts," highlights the PISM expert. In practice, Pastucha explains, the fleet consists of units with an opaque and variable ownership structure, mainly entities from Asia and the Middle East. These companies are said not to have experience in the oil market. This also applies to logistics companies, whose data usually remains hidden, and most of them have headquarters in the UAE, China, Turkey and from the EU countries – in Greece, Cyprus, and Malta. To make ships harder to identify, their names and flag registrations are changed – the most commonly used are so-called flags of convenience of Panama, Liberia, Gabon and the Marshall Islands. Additionally, ships often conceal their location by turning off lights or AIS transponders (a location system ensuring shipping safety) - presents this practice Tymon Pastucha. **Old tankers for the Kremlin** The units used by the Kremlin are worn with time. Most of the fleet is said to have more than 15 years, and those ships do not undergo regular repairs, which could have significant environmental consequences in the event of an accident and leak. According to data, tankers are operated for about 20 years. Similar solutions, as Russia used, were previously applied by Iran and Venezuela, who wanted to circumvent mainly American sanctions. How big is the "shadow fleet"? It's said to even consist of 200 ships, which would mean that nearly 80 percent of Russian oil reaches its customers bypassing the sanctions. The "black gold" is said to reach India, Turkey, and China. "A significant increase is observed in the case of India, which did not import crude from Russia before 2022, and now about 35 per cent of its supplies come from this direction. The mentioned countries often process the imported oil and re-export it to EU countries (India in 2023 became the second-largest supplier of oil products to the EU, climbing from sixth position)" - we read in the PISM analysis. So how should Western countries react? Pastucha suggests lowering the price of a Russian barrel to £20-£23, as this is the estimated profitability of extracting Russian oil. This would motivate the Kremlin to increase exports, as the budget deficit created by Moscow would have to be filled with a greater number of orders. "This will create a greater demand for tankers, which the 'shadow fleet' will not be able to satisfy," believes the PISM analyst. In this way, Moscow would have to cooperate in the export of oil with entities that comply with sanctions. "With effective insurance verification of ships, Russia's revenues from oil sales would then decrease by another 50 percent," summarises the expert.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/othe...7a3d44db&ei=48

[Dargo]

Global higher oil prices drive up production and transportation costs throughout the world economy, which are then passed through to food and core prices. Higher energy prices can also raise consumer and business expectations for future inflation, indirectly raising food and core prices now.

[Rockstar]

Originally Posted by mapuc

It Could be as Dargo wrote.
The oil price may take a peak up and whether US import oil from Russia or not they are following the market.

Otherwise your right-Bombs away.

Markus

No doubt oil prices vary but as far as I can tell it has little or nothing to do with Russian oil refineries being bombed. I think OPEC extended reduction has more to do with a still slow global economic recovery than anything else.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Spain auctions off Cold War-era M60 tanks, bypassing Ukraine aid

Ukraine already has to manage a patchwork of logistical special operations because they have received so much different equipment in ever smaller quantities that even a Western army would be overwhelmed in peace. Too much small-small.

[mapuc]

Markus

[Jimbuna]

[mapuc]

Markus