TrueValueMetrics ... Impact Accounting for the 21st Century

Date: 2025-05-14 Page is: DBtxt003.php txt00028113

UKRAINE WAR INADEQUATE TARDY US SUPPORT PPR GLOBAL: Ukrainian Fighter Jets Launched SURPRISE AIRSTRIKE & BLEW UP Rear Base of Russia with Hammer Bombs PLAY YOUTUBE VIDEO Original article: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1wYD2rZAnQ Peter Burgess COMMENTARY Trump and Biden function in very different ways. In many ways, both are problematic. I am on the record as saying that Biden passed more meaningful legislation to progress America than Predidents Eisenhauer, Kennedy and Johnson combined. I am fairly certain that Trump woll eventually go on record as the worst President that the USA has ever had! One of the issues that American leadership ... not government, not corporate not social activists ... has addressed is the terrible trend for more than 40+ years of increasing inequality My expectation is that Trump will make this problem a lot worse But it gets worse. Republicans have a track record of being supportive of the US military and specifically for Ukraine following the Russian invasion of Ukraine three years ago in February 2022. What Trump is doing vis-a-vis Putin with respect to Ukraine in the last few days / weeks is unclear to me, but the news reports suggest that it is not good ... or perhaps better decribed as something more like a catastophic capitulation by Trump and his US cupporters. In a repiod of less than month, Trump has succeeded in doing huge damage to US government activities ... claiming huge cost savings. He is doing this with the active collaboration of Elon Musk. Elon Musk may be the richest man on planet earth, and some of his corporate initiatives are very impressive ... but he is also a dangerous fool and allowing him free reain together with DOGE is pure insanity on the part of Trump and his administration. Trump, Musk et al are setting th stage for a spectacular fall from grace, and it is anybody's guess how much damage will be done to decent people in the United States amd around the world. When it comes to Ukraine ... Trump is making headlines, but not for any good reasons. I was born in the United Kingdom in the early days of WWII ... about two years before the USA became involved after Pearl Harbor. President Rousevelt was helpful to the UK when it was standing alone against the Nazi war machine, but the US was not generous. In fact the US was helpful much more for itself than for anyone else. Trump is going down the same path requiring Ukraine to agree to a deal over rare earths that is unconscionable to most people, but typical of Trump and to a great extent the USA as a nation! The dicussions going on right now about rare earths in the Ukraine between Trump (USA) and Zelinski (Ukraine) reflect more than anything else the deep nastiness of Trump ... but also the rather problematic history the US has had as a big power in the 80 years since the end of the cold war. Most of the members of NATO are polite to and about the USA in public, but when it comes to what they think in private, the thinking is that the USA is a rich bully, but still a country we have to work with, mot matter how difficult it is. This might change dramatically and perhaps catastrophically if Trump continues as he has started in the first five months of his administaration. Maybe I am wrong ... completely off base ... but I don't think I am. What is coming is likely to be a catastrophic economic and social mess with ordinary Americans the biggest losers. Peter Burgess
Ukrainian Fighter Jets Launched SURPRISE AIRSTRIKE & BLEW UP Rear Base of Russia with Hammer Bombs PPR GLOBAL 666K subscribers Feb 26, 2025 Key Covered Topics Ukraine’s Strikes on Russian HQ in Kursk Summary: Ukrainian forces launched a precise aerial assault using AASM Hammer bombs, destroying a Russian command post and its stockpiled munitions. This surprise attack underscores Kyiv’s advanced targeting and disrupts Russia’s plans to reclaim Kursk. Ground & Drone Warfare Intensifies Summary: Ukrainian troops combine reconnaissance drones with high-tech weapons to corner Russian infantry, particularly near Kursk and Donetsk. Russia’s reliance on North Korean contingents highlights its manpower constraints, while Ukraine leverages cutting-edge indigenous UAVs. Stakes Around the Kursk Operation Summary: For Putin, recapturing all of Kursk is essential to claim no territorial concessions; for Ukraine, holding it forces Russia into a weaker position at any Trump-led peace talks. Heavy Russian losses—over 40,000 casualties in six months—erode Moscow’s negotiating power. Western Arms & the AASM Hammer Factor Summary: The French-made AASM Hammer bomb’s unique range-extension kit and multi-mode guidance transform standard munitions into smart bombs. Ukraine’s success with these bombs exemplifies how Western technology tilts the battlefield balance against Russia. Russia’s War Fatigue & Implications Summary: Moscow’s slow gains, extensive casualties, and economic struggles indicate a drawn-out war with limited success. Drone attacks strike deep inside Russian territory, damaging morale and weapon stockpiles; Russia’s hopes hinge on sapping Ukrainian willpower over time. U.S. & Trump’s Proposed Peace Talks Summary: Ongoing behind-the-scenes negotiations in Riyadh raise fears that Washington might reduce aid if a quick deal isn’t found. Ukraine’s bold strikes in Kursk signal it won’t accept imposed solutions lightly— especially if they concede territory. Outlook for 2025: Ukrainian Determination vs. Russian Pressure Summary: Both sides brace for a critical juncture next year, as a potential shift in U.S. policy could limit or reshape arms supplies to Ukraine. However, Kyiv’s approach—coupling ground offensives with advanced strike capabilities—suggests it plans to stand firm, even if U.S. priorities change. 00:00 – Introduction: Kursk’s Strategic Importance 02:00 – Ukrainian Aerial Attack on Russian HQ 04:00 – Drone Warfare & Ground Operations 07:00 – Russian Losses & North Korean Troops 09:30 – AASM Hammer Bomb: Ukraine’s Game-Changer 12:00 – Russia’s Weariness & Putin’s Kursk Dilemma 14:00 – U.S. Peace Talks & Trump’s Negotiation Plan 16:30 – Future Scenarios: Holding Kursk vs. Russian Rebound 18:00 – Conclusion & Next Steps Chapter-by-Chapter Explanation 00:00 – Introduction: Kursk’s Strategic Importance Sets the scene on why the Kursk region holds symbolic and military value. Explains how control of Kursk affects both Russia’s domestic narrative and Ukraine’s leverage in upcoming peace talks. 02:00 – Ukrainian Aerial Attack on Russian HQ Breaks down how Ukrainian planes approached the Russian headquarters and dropped AASM Hammer bombs. Emphasizes the significance of a single strike dismantling an entire command outpost, rattling Russian morale. 04:00 – Drone Warfare & Ground Operations Details Ukraine’s hybrid approach: using reconnaissance and first-person-view drones to locate and neutralize Russian or North Korean crews. Notes how fiber-optic drones tried to evade jamming but fell prey to Ukrainian infiltration tactics. 07:00 – Russian Losses & North Korean Troops Focuses on the heavy toll Russia faces—tens of thousands of casualties in Kursk alone—and the failed reinforcement attempts via Pyongyang. Shows how this has depleted Moscow’s manpower and complicated future offensives. 09:30 – AASM Hammer Bomb: Ukraine’s Game-Changer Highlights the French precision-guided bomb with range-extension kits. Explains how this advanced weapon, previously a key advantage for Western air forces, now enables Ukraine to strike from safer distances and degrade Russian stocks. 12:00 – Russia’s Weariness & Putin’s Kursk Dilemma Analyzes the political and military ramifications if Russia cannot retake Kursk. Underlines that failing to reclaim lost territory shatters Putin’s posturing in potential peace agreements and weakens his domestic image of strength. 14:00 – U.S. Peace Talks & Trump’s Negotiation Plan Discusses the background of secret talks in Riyadh, where the U.S. and Russia exclude Ukraine. Considers how Ukraine’s continuing victories make forced concessions unlikely, despite talk of a potential freeze or compromise championed by Trump. 16:30 – Future Scenarios: Holding Kursk vs. Russian Rebound Ponders if Ukraine’s hold on Kursk will remain firm or if Russia might stage a counteroffensive at great cost. Also contemplates the impact of the conflict on the larger stage, including Europe’s stance and forthcoming U.S. policy shifts. How this content was made Altered or synthetic content Sound or visuals were significantly edited or digitally generated. Learn more Transcript 0:00 the KK region is a double-edged sword in the war between Ukraine and Russia both sides see control of KK as an important element in president Trump's peace talks Russian troops are fighting with all their might to retake the entire KK region from the Ukrainian Army Ukrainian forces on the other hand are seeking to consolidate their hold on the region in this context Ukraine aims to inflict maximum damage on the Russian army by focusing on ground and air operations the kurk operation which has been ongoing since August has already worn out the Russian troops but Vladimir Putin aware of the Strategic and symbolic value of the region is not giving up kusk at the cost of losing more troops if Russia can push Ukraine out it will not have to make any concessions to get the territory back Ukraine on the other hand is waging an allout War to Corner Putin using missiles drones artillery and rifles most recently 1:00 Ukrainian troops even struck the Russian headquarters in the KK region but how was this critical attack carried out how did the kers region turn into a dead end for the Russian army how can Ukraine's ksk offensive affect the position of Russia and the United States you will find the answers to all these questions in our video before you start don't forget to subscribe to our Channel turn on notifications and like to be informed about our content all this is free of charge let's get started first let's dive into the twists and turns of the critical operation carried out by the Ukrainian Air Force Russian forces had converted a house in the area into a headquarters to avoid Ukrainian troops the house was completely surrounded by trees and there were no other buildings around it but there was one thing the Russians forgot Ukrainian reconnaissance drones were constantly flying sorties in the sky and keeping the Russians under blockade thanks to the data from the reconnaissance drones Ukrainian Aerial Attack on Russian HQ 2:00 Ukrainian forces realized that Russian soldiers were constantly carrying things into the house Russian soldiers had turned the house into a headquarters and were trying to stockpile enough ammunition to sustain them in a protracted conflict the Ukrainian Air Force immediately took action Ukrainian aircraft took off to strike the Russian headquarters and Ammunition Depot the headquarters was destroyed by ASM Hammer aerial bombs dropped from the planes there were powerful explosions as the ammunition in the headquarters also exploded the Ukrainian Army shared the images of the attack on social networks and announced their success in the published footage smoke was seen rising from the house in the snow covered Forest the video also shows a Ukrainian Mig Yumi doa's fighter jet approaching its Target at low altitude to avoid Russian radar detection the jet Blends into the landscape becoming less visible to radar waves before rising steeply to release its Glide bomb it is known that 3:00 military personnel in the headquarters were eliminated and thousands of Munitions were destroyed another successful operation took place just south of vodan in detet O blast troops from the Ukrainian National Guard's Black Mountain Brigade were searching for Russian drone Crews specifically they were looking for teams deploying fiber optic drones that send and receive signals over millimeter thick cables instead of radio this is a control method that helps operators block intense Ukrainian radio interference Ukraine has fewer troops and artillery than Russia but it has more and better drones most of them are made in Ukraine and financed with Ukrainian and European funds maintaining this drone advantage and thus protecting Ukraine's main means of resistance requires ukrainians to blunt Russian efforts to boost their own robotic capabilities by detecting the reflection of fiber optic cables operators of the Black Mountain Brigade have shown the way forward forward for Drone Warfare & Ground Operations 4:00 the Ukrainian unmanned systems forces and the Drone Legion following the fibers reflecting sunlight they reached the Russian team's base hidden among snow covered buildings Ukrainian drones shot down the hapless Russian operators with explosive firstperson view drones it was a tactical Victory with a strategic message on the day of the operation United States and Russian negotiators met in Riad to discuss closer ties between Russia and the United States and possible ways to end the war in Ukraine Ukraine has sent a very clear message with this operation America can choose to bow down to Russia but Ukraine does not need it but what do we know about the characteristics of the aasm hammer aerial bombs that were the signature of Ukraine's successful strikes this weapon is a deadly French capability that Russia fears the most designed and manufactured by saffran a French multinational company the aasm hammer exemplifies the evolution of 5:01 Modern Combat tactics this weapon is essentially a conventional bomb enhanced with a guidance and glide kit turning it into a formidable tool in terms of accuracy and range its hybrid nature makes it prominent in the field of military technology and reflects a broader Trend towards multi-functional and adaptable combat equipment the aism hammer comes in two main variants one is the 250 kg MK 82 grenade and the other is the heavier 1,000 kg Blu 109 or mk8 grenade what elevates this weapon above conventional bombs is the range extension kit which can be equipped with a solid fuel engine this addition significantly increases the bomb's range allowing attacks from safer distances the kit also includes options for guidance systems ranging from satellite only to Thermal or laser semi-active guidance and an airb first detonation feature the aasm Hammer's 6:02 versatility and accuracy make it a valuable addition to Ukraine's Arsenal its ability to strike from more than 70 km away a distance that is well within the range of medium range air defense missile systems provides Ukrainian forces with a new level of tactical flexibility this capability is vital given the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of Modern Warfare at its core the ASM Hammer is more than just a weapon it is a symbol of the evolving nature of warfare and the international community's stance on the ukrain Russia conflict how does this strong stance affect the Russian military Ukraine is leaving an indelible mark on the Russian army both with its indigenous weapons and Western weapons especially in the KK operation which has been going on for 6 months Russia has lost 40,000 soldiers 16,100 of them killed North Korea on the other hand wasted 4,000 soldiers of the three Russian Losses & North Korean Troops 7:02 nominal brigades from North Korea one was effectively destroyed and two lost combat Effectiveness 131 tanks 689 armored combat Vehicles 386 artillery systems 12 multibarrel rocket launcher systems 12 air defense systems one aircraft three helicopters 931 operational Tactical uavs 1,164 pieces of automotive equipment and 34 pieces of special equipment were destroyed during the operation Ukrainian forces captured 99 Russian soldiers this significantly expanded The Prisoner exchange pool and allowed hundreds of Ukrainian Defenders to return from Russian captivity if Russia fails to expel Ukrainian forces from the KK region these losses are expected to be colossal at the same time the failure of 8:00 Russian forces in this region will weaken Vladimir Putin's hand under these circumstances the Russian leaders peace terms will lose their importance Putin will not be able to claim Ukrainian territory while part of Russia is in Ukrainian hands this will reshape the terms of the peace negotiations led by Donald Trump 2025 or collapse at first glance the war did not bring great satisfaction to the Kremlin because it failed to break Ukraine on the battlefield since the War Began Russia has reportedly suffered up to 700,000 casualties including up to 200,000 killed in action and extraordinary material losses including nearly 3,000 cruise missiles and more main battle tanks than North Atlantic Treaty organization's 32 members have fielded combined the Russian authorities absorbed these losses without overwhelming difficulty thanks to generous recruitment incentives for foreign mercenaries abundant old 9:01 material in storage and healthy revenue streams to purchase foreign kit and components still Russia has little to show for the price it has paid since December 2022 it has conquered only 3,000 square kilm of Ukrainian territory an area similar in size to Luxembourg since the summer of 2023 Russia has lost the ability to prevent the flow of waterborne Goods to and from Ukraine via the black Sea and the danub Delta including critical grain exports to much of Africa and the Middle East although Russia has hit Ukraine's infrastructure hard electricity supplies remain sufficient to run Ukrainian society and Industry Ukraine has also eliminated a third of Russia's Black Sea Fleet with the remaining ships forced to seek Refuge to the east the large naval base in sevastopol Crimea once a world-class strategic asset has become a military liability 10:00 Ukraine also managed to bring the war to Russian soil hitting air bases arms factories and oil installations from kaliningrad to mamans from the outskirts of Moscow to tatarstan with more than a symbolic effect in August 2024 Ground Forces captured more than 1,300 square kilm of the Russian K region including an important gas pipeline Hub in Suda by January 2020 5 Ukrainian forces still held part of this area facing both Russian and North Korean forces Ukraine has achieved these successes despite delayed deliveries of certain platforms such as F-16 fighter jets the United States refusal to transfer deep strike air launched weapons such as the joint air surface standoff missile JSM and until the last weeks of the Biden Administration a United States ban on Ukraine's use ofed United States made 11:00 weapons beyond the Russian Front Line the reality is that Ukraine has received about $100 billion in military aid from the west of which 40 billion has come from Europe representing about one 16th of NATO's spending on Military supplies however since last summer Ukrainian political and military officials have been saying that the war will end in 2025 there is considerable concern at the Tactical and operational level the Russian war machine is working very slowly but only going in One Direction Ukraine has faced serious difficulties in setting up a mobilization system that provides Frontline troops effectively and in a fair way for prospective candidates and their families desertions are common demoralization is widespread and soldiers in their 40s are the rule not the exception while Ukraine's Battlefield losses are significantly lower than Russia's they are much harder to bear in a country with less than a Russia’s Weariness & Putin’s Kursk Dilemma 12:01 third of the population the United States has called on Ukraine to set the age of conscription at 18 instead of the current 25 the American calculation is understandable but an invitation to shed Young Blood more generously is unlikely to win support especially coming from a country that stopped conscription in 1,973 young amputees are a bleak sight on the streets of Kiev for many ukrainians the United States draft Proposal with its restrictions on deep strikes against Russian forces reflected a lack of empathy from a strategic point of view the precarious state of the electricity infrastructure with only nuclear power plants surviving direct attacks is perhaps the most important concern an Ever colder winter and the meager kill rate of isander ballistic missile systems could lead to economic collapse and unprecedented hardship for civilian ions living in Soviet era 13:00 skyscrapers with no central heating water or sanitation quelling the lightning spirit that has prevailed to date what is clear is that Western Aid remains essential and must be of a greater variety and with less stringent restrictions on its use if Ukraine is to remain in the fight in the spring of 2024 Ukraine suffered a crippling ammunition shortage when the Republican controlled United States House of Representatives Ives refused for months to approve funds requested by the Biden Administration if the Trump Administration similarly cuts off new requests for Aid Ukraine is unlikely to be able to cope on the battlefield the same goes for France and Germany continued lucer United States restrictions on the use of American longrange missiles behind Russian lines will be critical for Ukraine to maintain its ability to survive the war as will allowing its allies to lift similar U.S. Peace Talks & Trump’s Negotiation Plan 14:00 restrictions on Ukraine's use of air launched cruise missiles such as the Franco British Storm Shadow scalp as long as Ukraine's Western Partners maintain existing arms and ammunition flows and keep the terms of use appropriate the military situation in Ukraine could be more manageable than feared especially if additional missile defenses are provided quickly and generously and perform well during the feared energy attack it remains to be seen of course what decisions Washington and European capitals will take on these issues Trump's deal big narrow or nothing about 18 months before the United States presidential election Trump said that as president he would resolve the war in Ukraine within 24 hours while he has more recently stopped talking about this time frame Trump has continued to express his ambition to stop the war leading to much speculation about what Trump's deal might look like while he has refused to confirm irm or deny that he has spoken to Russian 15:01 President Vladimir Putin about the issue since the United States presidential election last December the topic is still very much alive Trump's November 28 appointment of retired three star general Keith Kellog a special Envoy for Russia and Ukraine is especially significant given his expressed views on what a deal could include or cancel according to Kellogg this could include a ceasefire possibly monitored by a European International force a postponement of Ukraine's North Atlantic Treaty Organization membership and deao but not desur territorial concessions by Ukraine military aid to Ukraine could be suspended or increased depending on Ukraine and Russia's attitude towards the negotiations several fundamental questions arise first Will trump seek a quick deal at the risk of making himself look like a loser precedents like the failed nuclear talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and the successful 16:02 ibraim Accords between Israel and several Arab states suggests that Trump is not inclined to rush things and will stop talking if he thinks a gamble has failed this could mean that a deal will not materialize in 2025 second he will make this a largely bilateral process with Putin and will he only consult president zalinski selectively as Ukraine will be both the subject and object je of discussion and Future Scenarios: Holding Kursk vs. Russian Rebound 16:30 Will trump involve European allies as their interests and Military presence will be part of any deal precedents notably involving the wars in the former Yugoslavia suggest that the United States as a prime mover and self-aware superpower would prefer to keep interactions bilateral American Diplomat Richard Holbrook dealt one-on-one with Serbian president Slobodan mosovich in the runup to the Kosovo war in 1,900 99 17:00 which did not always make European allies happy even earlier in Bosnia when the United States worked in an ostensibly quadrilateral format with France Germany and the United Kingdom to finalize the Dayton Accords in 1,995 to 1,996 pbrook Twisted most arms and only involved key allies when he thought it was useful it seems safe to assume that Trump will at least jealous guard his prerogative third will Putin be interested in a substantive good faith process or will he play to the gallery he has not given a clear sign that he is ready to discuss much beyond the color of the ink in which Ukraine's surrender was signed fourth would Trump skeptical of the alliance accept a role for European NATO troops to enforce a ceasefire in Ukraine or otherwise enforce an agreement the Europeans are unlikely to accept a larger and more Danger dous repetition of their ill- 18:00 fated mission in Bosnia under the United Nations Flag with Western blue helmets held hostage along the line of contact the Bosnia experience ultimately showed that only troops operating under a strong NATO mandate with United States support can reliably get the job done still such a situation could be a deal breaker for Putin who may see nato in Ukraine as the same as Ukraine in NATO and has already said he will not accept it Fifth and no less importantly will the American president and his Russian counterpart Focus solely on ending the war in Ukraine the so-called narrow deal or will they go into full Molotov ribbon trop mode and succumb to the temptation to prepare a grand bargain in which the European security order and China's strategic role will come into play Putin's europe-wide Ambitions are well known the aforementioned December 2021 security agreement are a recent and detailed blueprint and 19:02 he will find it invaluable to secure Trump's support for this agenda from a United States perspective an important reciprocity would be the weakening of the sinor Russian strategic partnership but no official sign has emerged that Moscow or Washington is currently considering such a course of action Europeans would probably see this as extremely dangerous moreover Putin may be hoping that he can get what he wants in Europe without having to engage in in a Europe China trade the alternative version of a grand bargain would be for Russia to stop arms transfers with Iran and North Korea and limit bilateral technology trade with China while lifting some of the United States sanctions it looks like this issue is going to be a lot of water stay tuned for further developments thank you for watching don't forget to subscribe to our Channel turn on notifications and like us

SITE COUNT