Someone told me that they kept the old name for the Oblast because it was easier to pronounce.Been a while then, haha. Ironically, the “region” remained Leningrad (Leningradskaya Oblast or Leningrad Region).
Someone told me that they kept the old name for the Oblast because it was easier to pronounce.Been a while then, haha. Ironically, the “region” remained Leningrad (Leningradskaya Oblast or Leningrad Region).
There is steep shortage of 155mm shells, but if the European Union enters panic mode, it will be like with the covid vaccine: They will overshoot and in two years there will too many. LOL.NATO has signed two deals for production of 155mm ammo, with Nexter Munitions (France) and Junghans Microte (Germany), total value 1.2 billion USD, for "hundreds of thousands of rounds". A significant part will go to Ukraine. This, together with major contract with Nammo (see my post above) and also increase in production in e.g., the UK (see Swerve's post above) and elsewhere are clearly positive signs, I hope they can now scale up quickly!
NATO inks twin artillery deals worth $1.2B to replenish allies' stocks, help Ukraine - Breaking Defense
They already had a few Sea Kings from UK, at the beginning. AFAIK, they are quiet old.Germany to deliver 6 Sea Kings to Ukraine, along with parts and training. Via Google translate
The Federal Government now also wants to support the defense of Ukraine with a delivery of military helicopters from Bundeswehr stocks. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) had promised the country six multi-purpose helicopters of the type Sea King Mk41, accessory and spare parts packages as well as training for them, the Ministry of Defense announced.
The supporters of Ukraine had previously met for consultations in the so-called Ramstein format. "The 'Sea King' is a proven and robust helicopter that will help Ukrainians in many areas: from reconnaissance over the Black Sea to the transport of soldiers. It is the first German delivery of this kind," Pistorius said. For the protection of the Ukrainian population and infrastructure, air defense remains the number 1 priority. In addition, more speed is needed in arms production.
Ukraine-Liveblog: ++ Berlin liefert erstmals Militärhubschrauber ++
Deutschland will der Ukraine erstmals Militärhubschrauber liefern. Die NATO hat mit Unternehmen aus Deutschland und Frankreich Milliardenverträge für Munitionsbeschaffung abgeschlossen. Die Entwicklungen vom Dienstag im Überblick.www.tagesschau.de
The name is accurate. Even the band is still called Leningrad.So? The stamp in my passport from when I went there says Ленинград.
I suspect they kept the name out of sheer inertia. After the fall of the Union the only places that got renamed back to old names were ones that people cared about or were symbolic. Lots of little spots remain with their Soviet-era names. And the names aren't always ideological in nature. For example Novosibirsk is not named after any Soviet leader, however the name was given in the Soviet era. The town was originally called Novonikolaevsk. Volgograd used to be Stalingrad but before that it was called Tsaritsyn (literally Tsar's Town). Nobody is trying to bring that name back. Krasnodar used to be called Yekaterinodar. Ulyanovsk, former Simbirsk, is still named after Lenin and Kirov is still named after Kirov (historical name is Vyatka). Even in Ukraine there is still a village in Chernovitskaya region named after Stalin to this day (Stal'novtsy). I doubt it's because of any special sympathies on the parts of the locals to Stalin specifically. And names often take on a life of their own disconnected from the source. Attempts return the historic name of Vyatka (one that reoccurs in many parts of Russian history) to Kirov were made repeatedly but the locals were against it, not necessarily out of admiration for Kirov but moreso because it was a name they grew up with.Someone told me that they kept the old name for the Oblast because it was easier to pronounce.
Yep, location names can be important to people, especially if it's an area where they grew up. Emotive attachments. Changing location names can be something that is fraught with a lot of risk because of that emotional attachment. People can get very upset and irrational about it.The name is accurate. Even the band is still called Leningrad.
I suspect they kept the name out of sheer inertia. After the fall of the Union the only places that got renamed back to old names were ones that people cared about or were symbolic. Lots of little spots remain with their Soviet-era names. And the names aren't always ideological in nature. For example Novosibirsk is not named after any Soviet leader, however the name was given in the Soviet era. The town was originally called Novonikolaevsk. Volgograd used to be Stalingrad but before that it was called Tsaritsyn (literally Tsar's Town). Nobody is trying to bring that name back. Krasnodar used to be called Yekaterinodar. Ulyanovsk, former Simbirsk, is still named after Lenin and Kirov is still named after Kirov (historical name is Vyatka). Even in Ukraine there is still a village in Chernovitskaya region named after Stalin to this day (Stal'novtsy). I doubt it's because of any special sympathies on the parts of the locals to Stalin specifically. And names often take on a life of their own disconnected from the source. Attempts return the historic name of Vyatka (one that reoccurs in many parts of Russian history) to Kirov were made repeatedly but the locals were against it, not necessarily out of admiration for Kirov but moreso because it was a name they grew up with.
I was often thinking about how they operate deep into Russian territory. Walking 600 km would be extremely difficult. Yet, using any form of transportation would expose you to random check by the police or the military. If you travel a few hundreds km by train, road or bus, you are almost sure to have your document checked by a patrol at least once, not counting every time you board a public transportation. Since the beginning of the full scale war, Russians need a pass to move to or from certain regions inside their own country. Men of military age have to request an authorisation to leave their own town or municipality (when they have to travel some distance) and have to give a valid justification for their trip....why would they have to walk 600 km? Literally walk on foot (it says so in Ukrainian).
I visited Leningrad when it was in the USSR.The name is accurate. Even the band is still called Leningrad.
I suspect they kept the name out of sheer inertia. After the fall of the Union the only places that got renamed back to old names were ones that people cared about or were symbolic. Lots of little spots remain with their Soviet-era names. And the names aren't always ideological in nature. For example Novosibirsk is not named after any Soviet leader, however the name was given in the Soviet era. The town was originally called Novonikolaevsk. Volgograd used to be Stalingrad but before that it was called Tsaritsyn (literally Tsar's Town). Nobody is trying to bring that name back. Krasnodar used to be called Yekaterinodar. Ulyanovsk, former Simbirsk, is still named after Lenin and Kirov is still named after Kirov (historical name is Vyatka). Even in Ukraine there is still a village in Chernovitskaya region named after Stalin to this day (Stal'novtsy). I doubt it's because of any special sympathies on the parts of the locals to Stalin specifically. And names often take on a life of their own disconnected from the source. Attempts return the historic name of Vyatka (one that reoccurs in many parts of Russian history) to Kirov were made repeatedly but the locals were against it, not necessarily out of admiration for Kirov but moreso because it was a name they grew up with.
Such a tragic accident.Russian transport plane crashes near Ukraine with 65 Ukrainian POWs on board, Russian defence ministry says - ABC News
Reports of a Russian Air Force IL-76 crashing with 74 on board including 65 Ukrainian POWs who were being taken to a prisoner exchange.
I don't know much about the guy that made this video, has anyone else geolocated the IL 76 from the point of view of the person filming it?At the moment I have no set thoughts on it however surfing the net a number of peoples have claimed its flight path had it flying from Iran and landing at Belgorod, before taking off again, is this correct or false? If correct why would you load POW's at belgorod if they are to be exchanged ....
Isn't the population of Kaliningrad entirely Russian these days?In a statement to the UN, Ambassador James Kariuki of the UK stated that the the war in Ukraine benefits no one. The only way Russia can get anything out of this war is to prevail in keeping what it has gained so far. Their ability to prevail is debatable in the extreme, and even if they do, it would take them many years to break even.
Two years on from Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and this war benefits no one: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.www.gov.uk
With Finland, and the eventual addition of Sweden joining NATO the enclave of Kaliningrad is becoming more difficult to hang onto. In addition the fleet there has become more vulnerable. Now only Orbon stands in the way of Sweden joining. There are rumors of a possible Referendum in Kaliningrad. The heavy military presence in the area is bound to make the population nervous with high friction between NATO and Russia since the enclave would be a primary target. With the possibility of losing this outpost they really need to hang onto Crimea.
In spite of the brave front put on by the Kremlin, Russia is feeling the expenditures, and sanctions. They have dipped into their gold reserves and made budget cuts in areas that can ill afford it.
The infrastructure in Russia has long needed upgrades, and Ukraine's growing ability for deep strikes is further stressed this area. They are unable to quickly finish this war, while the fabric of society is starting to fray despite, and partially because of repression. The first link is reported to be a map from Rybar on sites affected.
https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1749347263388750162
https://twitter.com/glasnostgone/status/1749443242473533821?s=61&t=rmEeUn68HhlFHGKbTPQr_A
https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1749778109258231962
https://twitter.com/nexta_tv/status/1748315837260333178
https://twitter.com/Azovsouth/status/1746978475162886156?s=20
This list is not complete, and will continue to grow as long as this war goes on, and neither side is willing to give up. Perhaps this year will see Russia finding their limit, although that would probably take a "Black Swan" moment.
Finland and Sweden joining NATO doesn't change anything for Kaliningrad. Anyone who think that Russia could lose Kaliningrad should go there and have a look at reality.Larry_L said:With Finland, and the eventual addition of Sweden joining NATO the enclave of Kaliningrad is becoming more difficult to hang onto. In addition the fleet there has become more vulnerable. Now only Orban stands in the way of Sweden joining. There are rumours of a possible Referendum in Kaliningrad. The heavy military presence in the area is bound to make the population nervous with high friction between NATO and Russia since the enclave would be a primary target. With the possibility of losing this outpost they really need to hang onto Crimea.
The situation is worsening in Russia, and people are fed up. New candidate Nadiezhdin got 100 000 signature in a matter of hour thanks to a few anti-war comments.Larry_L said:Perhaps this year will see Russia finding their limit, although that would probably take a "Black Swan" moment.
Still no official confirmation about it. But if true, they would have said it. Instead they said that the plane was carrying S300's. Meaning the plane was about to land. I don't believe any version. It's fairly possible that Ukes shot down the IL76 by mistake.At the moment I have no set thoughts on it however surfing the net a number of peoples have claimed its flight path had it flying from Iran and landing at Belgorod, before taking off again, is this correct or false? If correct why would you load POW's at belgorod if they are to be exchanged ....