Expanding NATO Wars, page-346

Fwd from @dva_majors

Overview Summary for September 29, 2024

▪️ Last week, the war in Ukraine unfolded against the backdrop of Russia's foreign policy actions and those of its opponents. Zelenskyy visited the US with his "victory plan", which drew criticism for relying on obtaining new military aid and permission to strike deep into Russian territory with NATO missiles. Zelenskyy is trying to shift responsibility for such strikes onto the US, to directly involve the Alliance in combat against Russia. NATO weapons are being used with impunity against Russia's territory, a "red line".

The issue of Russia's retaliation is serious, as the Supreme Commander announced a new Nuclear Doctrine. The provisions already allowed for a nuclear strike against Ukraine, so the changes likely aim to justify strikes against those using Kyiv to harm Russia. Belarus has been placed under the nuclear umbrella.

The updated doctrine states that a massive air-space attack may trigger nuclear retaliation. Last night, 125 Ukrainian UAVs were shot down.

▪️ On the front, the "repelling of the attempted invasion" in the Kursk region continues. The AFU's offensive momentum has subsided, though they conduct counter-attacks. In the south, the Russian Army advances near Plekhovo, and contains the AFU in Glushkovo and Korenevo. The command aims to spare personnel and grind down the AFU in the Kursk and Sumy regions.

▪️ The Russian offensive continues in the Pokrovsk direction, with battles for Vuhledar. In the Kupiansk direction, the AFU garrison in Chasiv Yar is being surrounded. In Kharkiv, elite GUR units occupied the Volchansk aggregate plant, leading to its bombing.

▪️ The advance proceeds cautiously due to supply issues under drone fire. There are assessments of insufficient AFU defenses, which could aid the Russian troops. The battles remain severe, with the pace measured in hundreds of meters.

Original msg (https://t.me/dva_majors/53838)