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Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Putin Has a Problem: His Ukraine War Is Falling Apart

The Russian forces continue to lose men in Ukraine, though the rate of casualties has slowed down, reflecting the ebbing momentum of the Russian large-scale offensive. 

Lancet Drone Attack in Ukraine. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Ukraine War Update: The war in Ukraine goes on. On day 402 of the conflict, the Russian military is still looking for a breakthrough while the Ukrainian forces are preparing for their large-scale counteroffensive

Despite marginal gains by the Russian Wagner Group private military company, Bakhmut remains in Ukrainian hands.

Meanwhile, Ukraine is set to receive more weapons, while Turkey finally approved Finland’s membership bid to NATO. 

Russian Casualties in Ukraine

The Russian forces continue to lose men in Ukraine, though the rate of casualties has slowed down, reflecting the ebbing momentum of the Russian large-scale offensive. 

The Russian military and Wagner Group private military company are in at very vulnerable position right now. For the better part of two months, they have been throwing men and weapon systems against the Ukrainian positions almost all across the contact line. Their gains, however, have been marginal at best, but their casualties extremely heavy. 

Overall, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense claimed that as of Saturday, Ukrainian forces have killed and wounded approximately 173,990 Russian troops. 

Destroyed equipment includes: 306 fighter, attack, bomber, and transport jets, 291 attack and transport helicopters, 3,616 tanks, 2,683 artillery pieces, 6,981 armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles, 527 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS), 18 boats and cutters, 5,528 vehicles and fuel tanks, 279 anti-aircraft batteries, 2,248 tactical unmanned aerial systems, 296 special equipment platforms, such as bridging vehicles, and four mobile Iskander ballistic missile systems, and 911 cruise missiles shot down by the Ukrainian air defenses. 

Western Weapon Deliveries to Ukraine 

The U.S. is getting ready to send another package of military aid to Ukraine. The latest security aid package is expected to be valued at around $2.6 billion and be announced as early as Monday, according to reports

The package is expected to contain anti-tank rockets, tank munitions, air defense radars, and fuel trucks. The above weapon systems contribute to the expectation that the Ukrainian military is getting ready for its counteroffensive.

Meanwhile, the first Ukrainian troops to undergo training in the U.S. on the MIM-104 Patriot air defense system have returned to Europe. Approximately 65 Ukrainian troops completed the training course at Fort Sill, in Oklahoma. 

Finland Is In 

After much toil and heartache, Turkey has approved Finland’s membership bid to join NATO.

“Finland’s application has now been ratified by all members and we will join NATO. Thank you to all countries for your support,” Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin announced.

“As allies, we will give and receive security. We will defend each other. Finland stands with Sweden now and in the future and supports its application,” the Finnish prime minister added. 

Following the unprovoked and illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine, Finland and Sweden chose to abandon decades of neutrality (or hundreds of years in the case of Sweden) to join the transatlantic alliance.

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Although a NATO member, Turkey has been an obstacle to the membership bids because of bilateral disputes with the two countries, but mainly with Sweden. The two Scandinavian countries decided to break their mutual membership bid and apply individually, thus allowing Turkey to greenlight Helsinki’s bid. 

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan continues to block Sweden’s bid.  

Expert Biography: 

A 19FortyFive Defense and National Security Columnist, Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations, a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ), and a Johns Hopkins University graduate. His work has been featured in Business InsiderSandboxx, and SOFREP.

1945’s Defense and National Security Columnist, Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist with specialized expertise in special operations, a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ), and a Johns Hopkins University graduate. His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.

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