[kellyhound]

Mikhail Shatsky, who is said to have overseen the modernisation of Kh-59 and Kh-69 missiles used by russia against Ukraine, was reportedly shot dead near his home.

A russian weapons expert who helped to develop cruise missiles used in the Kremlin's war on Ukraine has reportedly been assassinated in a forest in the Moscow region.

Mikhail Shatsky, deputy general designer and head of design at the Mars Design Bureau — which develops missiles used by the russian military — was shot dead this week in Kuzminsky forest, about 13 kilometres from the Kremlin, according to Ukrainian media.

Exiled russian journalist Alexander Nevzorov posted a photograph on Telegram of a man resembling Shatsky lying dead on blood-stained snow. Similar photographs were published on several pro-Ukraine channels on the messaging app.

Independent russian outlet Important Stories said it had geolocated the site where the body was found as a 10-minute walk from Shatsky's home near the forest.

In his role at the Moscow-based Mars Design Bureau, Shatsky was said to be responsible for overseeing the modernisation of the Kh-59 and Kh-69 cruise missiles, which russia has fired at Ukrainian cities since launching its full-scale invasion in 2022. The engineer had also reportedly been working on AI technology for russian drones.

Several Ukrainian outlets, including Ukrainska Pravda and the Kyiv Independent, reported the shooting was carried out by Ukraine's military intelligence agency GUR, citing anonymous Ukrainian defence sources.

"Anyone who is involved in the development of the russian military-industrial complex and support of russian aggression in Ukraine one way or another is a legitimate target of the (Ukrainian) Defence Forces," one such source told the Kyiv Independent.

[Roosta]

Originally Posted by houseoftechno ↗

Continued UAV sitings on US east coast & perceived lack of US defense action by Deep State continue to frustrate Americans and Elected Officials:

Current Media Blurbs
"An official from Naval Weapons Station Earle in Monmouth County, New Jersey, confirmed on Friday that "unidentified drones" have entered its airspace multiple times, though there were "no direct threats" to the facility. This comes amid numerous drone sightings across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, leading to heightened concerns, while the White House stated that none of the reports have been verified.

Bill Addison, the station's public affairs officer, emphasized the base's preparedness to handle potential risks. Democratic senators, including Chuck Schumer, have requested answers from the FBI, FAA, and Department of Homeland Security regarding the drone activity affecting local communities.

White House National Security adviser John Kirby noted that many reported sightings may involve lawful manned aircraft. However, Sen.-elect Andy Kim, who saw the drones himself, expressed frustration over the lack of information.

The Pentagon indicated that the drone activity is unlikely to be from a foreign adversary. In response, the FAA has issued a temporary flight restriction on drone flights over Picatinny Arsenal Military Base until December 26."

US Citizens Threaten to Defend US from Drones
"Frustrated by a lack of answers about numerous potential drone sightings above their homes, New Jersey residents are threatening to take matters into their own hands if the government doesn't respond.

James Ward, a Jersey Shore realtor, posted a video on Facebook claiming to show "SUV-sized drones" over Island Beach State Park taken on Sunday. The footage, which features several lights hovering in the sky, makes it hard to gauge their size.

"Dozens of SUV-sized drones in all directions," the caption stated. "Emerging simultaneously, flying over the ocean, and then heading in different directions – what do you think?"

"Why hasn't anyone shot one down to look for a serial number to trace it back to the operator?" one commenter asked. "That could provide a clue."

"Semi-auto 3-inch magnum 00 buck full choke!" another replied.

Experts caution that it is typically illegal to shoot down a drone flying over private property. The Federal Aviation Administration informed Forbes in 2016 that shooting down a drone is against federal law, which prohibits sabotaging any aircraft.

FAA regulations also forbid unsafe or unauthorized operation of any aircraft, manned or unmanned.

Calls for action arose after Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, and two Republican congressmen urged the federal government to shoot down any unidentified drones in the area. Lawmakers from both parties have been pressing investigators and regulators for answers for weeks."

If these UAVs are classified US defenses, then for Christ sake, DOD should declassify them and tell the citizens that these are our forces defending our nation. If not, then our POTUS needs to do his job and authorize DOD to protect our borders.

Definitely gathering information but for what purpose.
To plan the destruction of critical infrastructure before a strike or the like is my bet as the instances of this happening around critical infrastructure sites & military bases are just so commonly similar to be random events, but I do agree that they need to take a few of them out, shoot a few of them down to learn more about their origin as the parts & operating systems would give a clearer indication about the builder & what kind of hardware they are running, whether it be military grade electrical components with anti-jamming systems in them as most military bases have electronic warfare systems stationed around the parameters of the base in the form of anti-drone electronic warfare systems ie Drone Jamming Guns, the very same that we see in the Ukraine Invasion ect, that deal with this, so I'm trying to rationalize the scenario from all angles & where they couldn't just jam one so that it crashes & you will soon know who's fucking with you as they are definitely up to something.

[kellyhound]

Ukraine will receive 19 air defense systems from allies to protect critical infrastructure , said NATO Secretary General Rutte.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine restored their positions near Pokrovsk.

Ukrainian military recaptured several positions in the area of ​​the village of Shevchenko.

[kellyhound]

russian air defense shot down their own $16 million Ka-52 attack helicopter, again. All crew dead. russia has already lost more than 60 of these helicopters out of about 124 in service. The remaining are often not usable due to a shortage of spare parts.

Pentagon plans to use entire $1.22 billion remaining in USAI for Ukraine in 2024.

Five fuel tanks were damaged at "Atlas" oil depot on November 29.

North Korean troops had suffered several hundred casualties in the Kursk region.

In 2025, JEF member countries will provide Ukraine with military aid worth more than €12 billion.

Ukraine has received 4.1 billion euros from the EU under the Ukraine Facility program.

Australia has provided Ukraine with over $1 billion in aid, of which $880 million is military.

Britain will develop Ukraine's military industry in 2025.

[kellyhound]

The russian army continues its offensive on the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, expending substantial resources to seize new territory.

Civilians remain in Pokrovsk, but authorities are urging everyone to leave: due to constant shelling, all social services have been evacuated, and gas supply has been cut off. Living in Pokrovsk under such conditions during winter is dangerous.

To advance, russia has committed immense resources. Ukrainian military expert Volodymyr Datsenko gathered information from open sources to estimate the cost of this campaign for the russian army. The numbers are staggering.

Every fifth casualty since the start of russia’s full-scale invasion is attributed to the Pokrovsk campaign. russia has lost over 150,000 soldiers—killed or wounded—in this operation. Overall, russia’s total losses in the war exceed 750,000.

In its attempts to advance, russia has increasingly resorted to infantry assault tactics, which require significant numbers of troops. As a result, russian losses during the 2024 offensives have nearly doubled compared to the early stages of the invasion. Today, russia is losing nearly 2,000 soldiers daily.

The total loss of 150,000 troops in the Pokrovsk campaign is phenomenal—comparable to the size of the russian force that initially invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Back then, russia had planned to conquer Ukraine in three days with a massive blitzkrieg.

As of now, only three European armies exceed this figure: France (210,000), the UK (190,000), and Germany (183,000). Italy’s armed forces stand at 165,000.

Other countries have smaller armies, such as Greece (142,000) and Spain (120,000). In other words, russia has lost more troops in the Pokrovsk campaign alone than the total personnel of most European armies. And the losses continue: since December 2024, russia has lost over 20,000 soldiers killed or wounded.

russia’s equipment losses are even more staggering. Visually confirmed data shows that during the Pokrovsk offensive alone, russia lost 582 tanks, while Ukraine’s losses were five times smaller.

Additionally, 1,220 armored vehicles, 110 trucks, and 90 artillery systems have been destroyed or damaged.

These losses are greater than Germany’s total losses during the Battle of Stalingrad in World War II.

To put this into perspective, russia can produce about 200 new tanks annually (15–20 units per month). This means it cannot replace its losses through new production, and these tank losses are just from one part of the frontline, not the overall war.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as of December 2024, approximately 800,000 Russian troops are in Ukraine.

[kellyhound]

Germany sent the sixth IRIS-T air defense system to Ukraine.

The enemy tried to storm the right bank of Kherson. Previously, two assault groups tried to occupy the Antonivskyi Bridge area under artillery fire. The attempts failed, they were destroyed by the Ukrainian military.

As cover, the russians launched a massive shelling of Kherson and its suburbs. Residential areas, critical and social infrastructure were under fire. Currently, 6 victims are known.


Starting in January, the countries of the "drone coalition" and the "maritime coalition" within the "Ramstein" format will begin supplying Ukraine with tens of thousands of drones of various types.

AI-Enabled HX-2 Kamikaze Drones Now In Production For Ukraine.

The German HX-2 will give Ukraine a new way to strike targets at stand-off ranges, but also reflects trends beyond that conflict.

German firm Helsing says production of its HX-2 kamikaze drone, thousands of which are expected to be sent to Ukraine, is underway. The company states that the HX-2s feature stand-off range, artificial intelligence (AI) enabled capabilities that make them resistant to electronic warfare systems, and can be employed in networked swarms.

Helsing offered new details about the HX-2 as part of an official rollout of the one-way-attack drone earlier today. The Bild newspaper in Germany had first reported on the HX-2 and plans to send thousands of them to Ukraine last month.

The electrically-powered HX-2, which has an x-shaped main wing and tail configuration, weighs close to 26 1/2 pounds (12 kilograms), has a top speed of almost 137 miles per hour (220 kilometers per hour), and a maximum range of 62 miles (100 kilometers), according to Helsing. The company also says the drones, also reportedly known by the name “Karma,” can be loaded with multi-purpose warheads, as well as ones optimized for use against armored vehicles or structures.

“Onboard artificial intelligence ensures that HX-2 is immune to hostile electronic warfare (EW) measures through its ability to search for, re-identify, and engage targets, even without a signal or a continuous data connection,” Helsing says on its website. “A human operator stays in or on the loop for all critical decisions.”

What kind of onboard sensors and other systems the HX-2 has to support these capabilities is unclear. The drone does have two small apertures in the nose, which are likely electro-optical and/or infrared cameras, as well as what looks to be a small pitot tube off to one side.

“When operating as part of Helsing’s Altra recce/strike software, multiple HX-2s can assemble into swarms, controlled by single human operators,” a Helsing press release adds.

“HX-2 has been designed to be mass-producible and at significantly lower unit cost than conventional systems,” the Helsing release continues, but does not provide any further details about unit cost

When exactly Ukraine might get its first HX-2s is unclear. Bild‘s report said that the first tranche of the drones would be delivered to Ukraine sometime this month and that around 4,000 would be sent in total.

The press release today says the drone’s “capabilities [were] developed and tested through Helsing’s extensive experience in Ukraine” and that core technology is currently deployed in Ukraine.”

https://helsing.ai/hx-2

[Roosta]

Originally Posted by kellyhound ↗

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as of December 2024, approximately 800,000 Russian troops are in Ukraine.

That's soon to be just a heap of fertilizer.

[kellyhound]

By the end of 2025, 3,000 missiles are planned to be produced. Among more than 10 projects is the Trembita, which has a speed of 400 km/h and a range of 200 km, and a new version can reach Moscow.

==========================================

Ukrainian forces have carried out their first front line ground attack using only unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and first-person view (FPV) drones without relying on infantry, it has been reported.

The head of a Ukrainian brigade said that the attack on an unspecified date had destroyed Russian positions near Lyptsi, a village in the Kharkiv region.

[kellyhound]

The Novoshakhtinsky oil refinery in the Rostov region is on fire again.

This is already the fourth attack on it during the war.

According to Reuters, as of mid-November, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery was operating at half its capacity.

[houseoftechno]

Yet unexplained explosion at munitions plant in Balikesir Turkey which supplied munitions against both Ukraine and Israel.

This one just may get swept under the rug, who knows?