Russian special military operation in Ukraine #59

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Russian defense reports 50 Western instructors killed in Kharkiv, 07.23.2024.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Russian tactical missile system Iskander-M attacked a temporary deployment point of Western instructors and mercenaries in the Kharkiv region, annihilating 50 of them, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

"The Iskander-M missile launcher launched a missile attack on the temporary deployment point of instructors and mercenaries from Western countries in the town of Dergachy in the Kharkiv region. As a result of the attack, about 50 foreign instructors were killed," the military entity said in a statement, published along with a video of the attack.

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https://latamnews.lat/20240723/la-defensa-rusa-informa-de-50-instructores-occidentales-aniquilados-en-jarkov--video-1156339862.html

Russia's 'Long Fist' Destroys Enemy's High-Volunteer Targets, by Raphael Fakhrutdinov for VZGLYAD. 07.23.2024.

Military expert Leonkov: Iskanders allowed to bring down NATO air defense system in Ukraine.

Recently, the Ministry of Defense has increasingly reported on the destruction of various targets on enemy territory using the Iskander OTRK, from logistics hubs and concentrations of manpower to command posts and equipment trains. Why did the Iskander become one of the key strike weapons of the Russian Armed Forces, and what does the growing capabilities of Russian intelligence have to do with it?

On Tuesday, it became known that an Iskander OTRK crew destroyed 50 instructors at a temporary deployment point of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the village of  Dergachi  in the Kharkiv region. Before that, on July 22, an Iskander also destroyed a hangar with HIMARS MLRS in  Novopetrivka  near Nikolaev. On July 21, two military trains (20 platforms each) were destroyed in  Barvenkovo  ​​(DPR), and even earlier - in the village  of Budy  in the Kharkiv region.

Western air defense systems are also increasingly being hit by Iskanders. On July 14, a German  IRIS-T system  was destroyed near Dnepropetrovsk. On July 7, a  Patriot air defense system  (USA) and a Giraffe radar station (France) were destroyed near Odessa, and on July 6,   two S-300 systems were destroyed near Poltava.

Particular attention in Russia and the West was drawn to the successful Iskander strikes on enemy airfields, which were called "the massacre of Ukrainian aviation" on the Internet. Among them were the destruction of a MiG-29 and other equipment in the  Dolgintsevo area  (Dnipropetrovsk region), a Mi-24 helicopter in the  Poltava area, as well as the destruction of seven Su-27s at the Mirgorod airfield   in the Poltava region, which was written about in detail by the Vzglyad newspaper.

The above cases are just a few examples of the trend that has been observed in recent weeks. As experts note, Iskanders were initially conceived as carriers of ammunition with special warheads. However, during the SVO, they became one of the most important strike weapons of the Russian Armed Forces, including due to improved reconnaissance. This allowed Russia to use its “long fist” more quickly and effectively. As is easy to see, Iskanders are used against especially important targets in the enemy’s rear: airfields, headquarters, air defense systems, trains, and concentrations of Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel.

Experts also note another important feature of the Iskanders, namely their flight speed. In a situation where a detected target needs to be hit as quickly as possible, the Iskander solves this problem more effectively than the Kalibr, which is more suitable for planned work on destroying stationary enemy objects.

In addition, the flight time of Russian missiles also determines the nature of the actions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

In the case of the Kalibr, the enemy usually has two to three hours to change its location, take cover from the shelling, or bring up its air defense systems. The Iskander eliminates such options, since its flight time takes several minutes, and it is almost impossible to shoot it down.

"The main technical advantage of the Iskanders is that their missiles are quasi-ballistic, meaning they can change their flight trajectory. Accordingly, the task of intercepting them requires a very modern air defense system and a lot of luck," explained Vadim Kozyulin, head of the IAMP center at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"On the other hand, despite the shortage of weapons and ammunition, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have effective air defense systems of Western and Soviet manufacture. Therefore, the expanded use of Iskanders on our part is a logical step. The same applies to the use of FAB-3000 aerial bombs . Moscow is counting on powerful strikes that destroy the enemy's command and control system and logistics," he added.

"In addition, Russia has improved its reconnaissance and strike contour. This concerns both the strengthening of space reconnaissance and its interaction with SIGINT, cyber troops, as well as the integration of counter-battery radars with strike weapons. It is also important to remember about human intelligence - nameless, but very useful," the expert explained.

"The fact that we are increasingly sending reconnaissance drones to the rear of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' defense, which also provide target illumination for the Iskanders, deserves special attention. All together, this allows us to significantly increase the effectiveness of the strike systems and gain an advantage on the battlefield," the source noted.

"In general, the Iskander operates at a depth of up to 500 km, that is, it covers the entire operational-tactical zone of the enemy. The complex also works well in conjunction with reconnaissance drones, for example, with the Orlan. The Iskander is guided precisely by coordinates and receives verified targets that are identified as military. They are then attacked," agrees military expert Alexei Leonkov.

The Iskander is also used for strikes in cases where the Russian Armed Forces need to hit targets covered by NATO air defence systems.

"Previously, our problem was that NATO specialists created an integrated distributed air defense system in Ukraine. Because of this, our aviation systems operated at altitudes no higher than 300 meters, and if we sent drones, they were shot down. Therefore, initially we had to "print out" the NATO air defense scheme in Ukraine, understand how it was arranged, and then knock out the guidance and destruction systems, and not only with Iskanders, but also with Kinzhals," he said.

"And note: when there are reports of a successful Iskander attack, there is usually information about the destruction of IRIS-T or Patriot systems at the same time. The German has a very good radar, it sees more targets than the American. And the Patriot is better integrated with other reconnaissance systems. However, we managed to expose this system, so our UAVs began to fly noticeably further and guide Iskanders to targets," Leonkov concluded.

https://vz.ru/society/2024/7/23/1278875.html

Well if NATO sends troops as advisors or for active duty in Ukraine , there is no choice , they become targets same as any other troops . And yes , it will become more difficult to hide these numbers as casualties of unfortunate Helicopter accidents or other ! Interesting that Orlan used to give real-time info for Rocket attacks . Why not use a cruise missile ( reusable , return to base )  with Camera to do the same ? It will fly faster than drone . In areas where the Orcs can not or not allowed to retreat , and they are exposed , then warning may be given before Fab attack , allowing surrender ? Condition them into giving up ! One way to stop EW warfare on drones at short range , is to use them in wire- guided mode , same as some ATGM .

Is it true that, strangely enough, US drones stopped flying over the Black Sea, near Crimea, etc.?