Hahaha given the advanced radar and electro/optical gear todays' attack helicopters are packing, they would probably detect you waaayyy long before you ever got a hint that they're even there.

Pro-Russian separatists attempt to reduce Debaltsevo 'cauldron', deploys super-heavy artillery guns

After very much cutting off Debaltsevo from the rest of the Ukrainian government frontline, pro-Russian separatists bring super-heavy artillery pieces in an attempt to reduce the salient by heavy shelling. Amateur cameras have recorded a squadron of two 2S7 "Pion" 203mm heavy artillery guns at an area claimed as Makeevka, in the Donetsk district:



This is what a 2S7 "Pion" looks like:

BBC: Only a single road left for Ukraine government troops in Debaltsevo


A pro-Russian sniper walks alongside a knocked out MT-LB armored personnel carrier on the outskirts of the town of Oglegorsk, near Debaltsevo

The rebels said on Monday that they had cut off the final supply road to Debaltseve, a strategic railway junction, which is near the rebel-held city of Donetsk. However, Ukraine's military told the BBC that the battle was continuing.

Military spokesman Olexandr Matuzyanyk told the BBC "there is fighting going on for this road at the moment".

Thousands of Ukrainian troops are believed to be in Debaltseve and the nearby area. Heavy fighting has been raging there for more than a week, with the rebels gaining some ground.

Ukrainian government officials say nine soldiers and at least seven civilians have been killed in fighting over the last 24 hours.

Spanish foreign minister: EU has lost 21 Billion Euros due to lost trade with Russia caused by US-led sanctions
US seems perfectly willing to screw over the EU just to piss off Russia. Hope EU politicians grow some balls and work about their own interests rather than US interests. The simple fact is Europe cannot survive without Russia. If the EU tanks over and sinks because of US vendetta to Moscow, US won't be too much affected by the after-effects, hope EU sees that fact before it's too late.

This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Feb 10 2015, 10:11 PM

Russia's modest proposal to Greece( and any interested countries): Exit Europe and we will lift food export ban

Russia told a beleaguered Greece, and specifically its hurting agricultural sector, that it "may lift its ban on food imports from Greece in the event it quits the European Union" according to Russian Minister of Agriculture Nikolai Fyodorov who spoke in Berlin on Friday.

“If Greece has to leave the European Union, we will build our own relations with it, the food ban will not be applicable to it,” Fyodorov said as reported by Tass.

In other words, Russia has casually thrown out feelers to Greece (and any other peripheral European country) and given it the option of joining the greater Russian sphere of influence (because the USSR 2.0 is still not trademarked), should it decide that 5 years after the first Greek "bailout" things for the country caught in an endless depression are as good as they will get with a bunch of Goldman bankers in charge.

Fyodorov also said that European Union countries, which felt discomfort from the slump in proceeds from exports of foods to Russia, were asking Russia to cushion the impacts of the Russian food import ban by expanding other types of imports. “We are looking at such possibility,” he said, adding that these countries offer new formats of cooperation in those areas that are not covered by the Russian food sanctions.

This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Feb 10 2015, 10:46 PM

Long-range rockets hit Kramatorsk airport, nearly 50km from frontlines


Residents watch an unexploded rocket engine stuck into the ground in Kramatorsk

It is reported that Pro-Russian separatist's long-range rockets, suspected to be the BM-30 'Smerch' rockets hit Kramatorsk airport, some 50 km (30 miles) north of the front lines, hitting the main headquarters of the Ukrainian military campaign in the east, as well as nearby residential areas. Local officials said at least seven civilians were killed, while 26 civilians and 10 soldiers were wounded. A parliamentary deputy said four soldiers were also killed.

Egypt coming ever closer to Moscow? President Putin visits Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo and brings a gift: A special custom-made Kalashnikov Rifle

Kalashnikov diplomacy?
The Egyptian president Addel-Fattah el-Sisi enjoyed a heart-warming moment after his Russian counterpart President Vladimir Putin personally presented him with a Kalashnikov rifle during an official visit. The Egyptian President, himself a former Egyptian Army Field Marshal, is said to be especially delighted at the gift.


Russian President Vladimir Putin (center) personally gifting a custom-made Kalashnikov rifle to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi (left)

The Russian president, accompanied by several high ranking officials, is in Egypt on a largely symbolic two-day trip as the leaders attempt to show neither country is entirely beholden to the West. Recently Egypt and Russia has been reported to have signed a $3 Billion USD deal to supply the Egyptian armed forces with modern Russian weapons.

The meeting of the leaders was – by all accounts – exceptionally warm.


Putin and El-Sisi in discussion

Mr Putin was greeted on a red carpet flanked by soldiers in full military dress by President Sisi before the leaders took in two exerts of Swan Lake and Aida at the Cairo Opera House.

Items scheduled for discussion between the representatives of the two countries include the agreement of Russian aid in building Egypt's first Nuclear energy station and the finalization of discussions in opening an Eurasian industrial free trade zone in Egypt.

This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Feb 11 2015, 09:57 AM

Ukrainian pro-government paramilitaries launch counter-attack from Mariupol yesterday, reportedly halted by artillery


Ukraine government troops in Kominternove

It was reported on Tuesday that the "Azov" paramilitary unit and elements of Ukraine government troops have staged a counter-attack into the towns east of Mariupol in order to relieve the port city of the slowly encroaching Pro-Russian separatist forces. Reportedly the pro-government forces have advanced until the town of Kominternove, about 20 km from Mariupol before heavy shelling by separatist artillery started. Local commanders reported they are unable to advance further without incurring casualties.

Pro-Russian separatist forces seems to have, at this time, concentrated their forces north in order to reduce the encircled city of Debaltsevo. That said, it is reported the separatists are still advancing, albeit slowly, towards Mariupol.

Battle for Debaltsevo starting proper, 'Lviv' paramilitary unit engaged in skirmishes with pro-Russian separatists, commander among KIA


A Pro-Russian separatist fighter watches a knocked-out Ukraine army T-64 tank at a captured army outpost on the outskirts of Oglegorsk, near Debaltsevo

Reports of running battles has erupted in the Debaltsevo pocket. Ukrainian military sources confirmed 'Lviv' paramilitary unit is in protracted skirmishes with Pro-Russian separatists while attempting to open a supply corridor on the separatist-controlled Debaltsevo-Artemivsk highway route. As of time, casualties on both sides remain unknown, though it is confirmed by Ukraine military sources that one of the top commanders of the paramilitary unit, Dmytro Zaharia has been killed when his vehicle was hit by a mine or an IED in a separate incident.

Meanwhile, several captured Ukrainian servicemen stationed in Debaltsevo were interviewed by Separatist and Russian media. In the interviews, they have admitted the situation inside the pocket is dire and supplies are running out fast. They have also acknowledged the existence of 'blocking troops', soldiers stationed at the rear with express orders to open fire and execute any units retreating without orders.

Wah, since Malaysia become ASEAN chairman, I think every fortnight got some kind of ministerial meeting. Really increasing or just more exposure, since most meetings are done in Malaysia?

What is?

Yemen Houthi rebels seize fleeing US embassy vehicles in Sana'a airport, confiscate US Marine guard's weapons


Houthi fighters ride a pickup truck in the capital of Sana'a


Somalia 2.0? No freaking way Saudi Arabia would allow a potential failed state on its southern border. With Shiites (and therefore, possible Iran support) to boot.

This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Feb 12 2015, 09:29 AM

Those for show only. One Arab prince can have only have so many pet cheetahs and gold-plated Bentleys. So have to buy something for national defense, or else money stack will grow too high.



This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Feb 12 2015, 10:01 AM

But now they are de facto government, even US is getting the hell out of there. Probably gonna get worse.

They captured the president last month and put him in house arrest. They then dissolved parliament last week and named Ali Al-Houthi as chairman of revolutionary committee.

But then again word has it that some parties (mostly Sunni politicians) are attempting to organize a counter-revolution, so we could be in this for the long haul. What I'm interested in is how would the new Saudi King is going to do about this?

This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Feb 12 2015, 10:36 AM

Unfortunately, not all world leaders are as reasonable and selfless as this.

Pro-Russian separatists: Debaltsevo pocket now cut in half, separatist advances resulted in a new pocket on the town of Svitlodarsk

Pro-Russian separatist sources reported that separatist advances in the Debaltsevo pocket has effectively cut the pocket in half, with the town of Svitlodarsk, northwest of Debaltsevo being isolated and surrounded. The town is a major strategic target for the separatists, as it houses a large thermal powerplant that contributes much of the electricity used in Debaltsevo. If the powerplant is destroyed or captured and disabled, Debaltsevo would be cut off from its primary electricity supply.


Pro-Russian separatist tank driving in the winter landscape

Svitlodarsk has been under heavy separatist shelling since the encirclement of Debaltsevo began. In January Ukraine government accused the separatists of deliberately shelling Svitlodarsk hospital, in which 3 people died.

Major breakthrough in Minsk 2.0 peace talks


Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking to the press after the peace talks were concluded

In what is seen as a great victory and the vindication of the diplomatic efforts of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande, all the parties engaged in the so-called Minsk 2.0 peace plans have agreed on some very significant points.

After a marathon 15-hour plenary session between the Ukraine government (represented by President Petro Poroshenko) and eastern separatists (represented by Alexander Zhacarchenko) with the leaders of Russia, France and Germany acting as guarantors, the participants agreed on several very important points in the proposed peace plan. These points are:

1) Ceasefire to begin at midnight on 15 February (agreed)
2)Heavy weapons withdrawn in a two week period starting from 17 February (agreed)
3)Amnesty for prisoners involved in fighting (agreed)
4)Withdrawal of all foreign militias from Ukrainian territory and the disarmament of all illegal groups (to be discussed further)
5)Lifting of restrictions in rebel areas of Ukraine (agreed)
6)Decentralisation for rebel regions by the end of 2015 (to be discussed further)
7)Ukrainian control of the border with Russia by the end of 2015 (to be discussed further)

Chancellor Merkel stated "now we can have a glimmer of hope" while also stating "But the concrete steps of course have to be taken, and we will still face major obstacles. But on balance I can say that we have achieved gives significantly more hope than if we had achieved nothing. So one can say that this initiative was worth it."

All the participants also have agreed to hold regular meetings in the future to ensure the items agreed are upheld by both sides.

Regarding the Ukrainian soldiers and paramilitary units encircled at Debaltsevo, President Putin has said he will be consulting military experts on how the situation should be solved. Most observers agreed that a standard solution to these kinds of situations is to have the encircled units leave their heavy equipment behind, with transportation out of the encirclement being provided by the separatists. Only personal weapons will be allowed to be carried.

They can sense the blood in the water, with the expansion of China and agressive Indonesian arms buying, they figured Malaysia must at least be looking at modern weapons systems to boost defense.

Well, another man's war is another man's meal ticket I guess.

This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Feb 13 2015, 12:56 PM

I bet it'll be made with high-tech carbon fibre space age materials which will cost $2000 per backpack unit and will break apart the first time a soldier or Marine loses his step and falls on his back.