Worth noting, korrespondent.net has compiled its Invasion of Ukraine series into separate months, beginning May 9th, 2023. Linked in the title.
[Korrespondent] 20:57 The number of victims as a result of the fall of rocket debris in the Dnieper and Lyubimovskaya community has increased to 12, said the head of the Dnepropetrovsk OVA Sergei Lysak.
20:50 Over the past week, Russian troops used almost 130 suicide bombers against Ukraine, most of which were shot down, as well as more than 80 missiles and about 700 guided bombs, Zelensky said in an evening video message. The president also emphasized that each Russian missile contains at least dozens of components - electronics, chips - that are supplied from companies from other countries and imported through the territory of Russia's neighbors. Drones also contain components produced in the free world, Zelensky added.
19:06 Russian troops hit Nikopol in the Dnepropetrovsk region with a drone and heavy artillery - four people were wounded, said the head of the OVA Sergei Lysak. In addition, in the Dnieper region, air defense forces destroyed an enemy missile. As a result of falling debris in the Dnieper, five people were injured, including a 15-year-old teenager, and three were injured in the Lyubimovskaya community.
18:43 The Russians attacked the Odessa region with two X-59 guided missiles - both were destroyed over the Black Sea, the Air Force reported.
16:22 The Russian Army launched an air strike at the village of Ocheretino, Pokrovsky district, Donetsk region - five-story buildings were damaged, one person was killed, two were injured, the prosecutor’s office reported.
14:15 The Russian Federation is preparing for another provocation at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant - another false flag operation, reports the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. “In recent weeks alone, Russia has already tried several times to shift responsibility for the use of drones to attack Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant facilities onto Ukraine. These are deliberate Russian actions that continue the Russian practice of blackmailing our state and the entire international community with the risk of a catastrophe at Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant,” the General Staff noted.
11:51 The Russians dropped explosives from a drone onto a truck on the territory of the Krasnopolsky community of the Sumy district, the driver died, the prosecutor’s office reported.
11:35 The Russians are trying to break through the defenses of Ukrainian troops west of Bakhmut in order to reach the Seversky Donets - Donbass canal, capture Chasov Yar, and create conditions for further advance to the Kramatorsk agglomeration, Syrsky said. According to him, separate groups of enemy infantry reached the Novy microdistrict, but were destroyed by FPV kamikaze strikes and artillery fire. “At the same time, the threat remains relevant, given the fact that the top Russian military leadership has set the task for its troops to capture Chasov Yar by May 9,” the commander-in-chief noted.
09:14 The General Staff announced the estimated losses of the Russian Federation as of the morning of April 14:
personnel - about 453,650 (+890) people,
tanks - 7174 (+5),
armored combat vehicles - 13,765 (+20),
artillery systems - 11,552 (+34),
MLRS - 1046 (+1),
air defense systems - 758 (+2),
aircraft - 347 (+0),
helicopters - 325 (+0),
UAV of operational-tactical level - 9235 (+34),
cruise missiles - 2089 (+1),
ships/boats - 26 (+0),
submarines - 1 (+0),
automotive equipment and tank trucks - 15,459 (+63),
special equipment - 1905 (+12).
08:37 At night, the Russians tried to attack the critical infrastructure of Kharkov with drones, said Oleg Sinegubov, head of the OVA. There were no reports of casualties. On the evening of April 13, the Russian army attacked the KAB in the village. Veseloye Lipetsk community - two people died. In the Kupyansky district, one person was wounded as a result of shelling in the village. Hemlines.
08:12 Over the past 24 hours, 76 military clashes took place at the front, the General Staff reported in its morning report . In particular, in the Bakhmut direction, the Defense Forces repelled 36 attacks in the areas of the settlements of Belogorovka, Luhansk region, as well as Verkhnekamenskoye, Vyemka, Spornoye, Razdolovka, Ivanovskoye, Novy, Opytnoye, Kleshcheevka, Andreevka in the Donetsk region. In addition, the enemy tried 22 times to break through the defenses of Ukrainian troops in the Novopavlovsk direction - in the areas of Georgievka, Novomikhailovka, Urozhainy, Donetsk region.
The enemy did not conduct offensive actions in the Kupyansky and Limansky directions. In the Avdeevsky direction, nine attacks were repelled in the Novokalinovo, Novobakhmutovka, Berdychi, Tonenky, Pervomaisky and Nevelsky districts of the Donetsk region; on Orekhovsky - six attacks in the Staromayorskoye area of the Donetsk region and north-west of Verbovoy, Zaporozhye region; on Kherson - three attacks on the left bank of the Dnieper.
07:33 Air Force Commander Nikolai Oleshchuk thanked the aviation pilots “for a successful, and most importantly, effective strike on an enemy target in the Lugansk region on April 13, 2024.” According to him, the Ukrainian pilots “did an excellent job and returned to base.” The commander also promised that there will be more such attacks on enemy rear lines when Ukraine receives more missiles from Western partners.
07:08 Air defense at night destroyed all ten attack UAVs of the Shahed-131/136 type, which Russia attacked from the Kursk region, the Air Force reported. All drones were destroyed in the Kharkov region. In addition, the enemy attacked with four S-300/S-400 anti-aircraft guided missiles from the territory of the occupied Donetsk region.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[KavkazUzel] Moscow insists on moving the Geneva discussions on security issues in the South Caucasus to another country, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
As the "Caucasian Knot" wrote, Switzerland acts as a mediator in negotiations between Georgia and Russia after Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in 2008, and the Georgian parliament voted to sever diplomatic relations with Russia. The first round of Geneva discussions took place on October 15, 2008. At the fourth round of Geneva discussions, on February 18, 2008, it was possible to agree on the text of a proposal to create a joint mechanism for the prevention and timely response to incidents in the border areas of Georgia and South Ossetia, as well as Georgia and Abkhazia. In April 2022, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced the suspension of the Geneva discussions, but then they resumed.
Georgia considers Abkhazia and South Ossetia to be Russian-occupied territories after Russia intervened in the armed conflict between Georgia and South Ossetia on August 8, 2008 and later recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The Georgian parliament voted to sever diplomatic relations with Russia, according to the Caucasian Knot report on the 2008 Five-Day War, which also contains details of this armed conflict.
Maria Zakharova explained the desire to move the location of the discussions by saying that Switzerland is “losing trust as a mediator in resolving international issues.”
“The Russian side was forced to put into practice the issue of transferring the International Geneva discussions on security and stability in the Transcaucasus to another country, whose authorities actually refrain from any actions detrimental to the interests of any of the participants in this negotiating format,” said Maria Zakharova, quoted by RIA Novosti.
The Foreign Ministry representative also stated that several states are vying for the role of a new platform for regular meetings, some of them have already given consent. The Foreign Ministry spokeswoman added that Abkhazia and South Ossetia “completely share Moscow’s point of view on this matter.”
It should be noted that the latest 60th round of international Geneva discussions took place on April 5 with the participation of representatives of the Republic of Abkhazia, Georgia, the Republic of South Ossetia, the Russian Federation and the United States, co-chaired by the UN, OSCE and the European Union.
“The general intention to continue joint work under the auspices of the Ministry of Railways has been confirmed. They remain the only internationally agreed format for the post-conflict restoration of relations in the Sukhum-Tbilisi-Tskhinvali triangle,” says a statement published on the same day in the official telegram channel of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Abkhazia and South Ossetia support the transfer of discussions to another country, said Deputy Foreign Minister of Abkhazia Irakli Tuzhba. “Abkhazia and South Ossetia also have their own claims against Switzerland. They are also related to the tightening of visa policy,” says a message published in the telegram channel of the Media Center of the Abkhaz Foreign Ministry.
The decision to postpone discussions has not yet been made; this requires the consent of all participants in the negotiations. Abkhazia, Russia and South Ossetia are considering Belarus and Serbia as options, the report also says.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry has not yet responded to statements by representatives of the foreign ministries of Russia and Abkhazia.
The Geneva format of negotiations has lost its relevance, since the meetings held are of a formal nature. Its only significance is that all parties to the conflict take part in the discussions, noted Georgian analysts interviewed by the Caucasian Knot in July 2023.
Let us recall that in February 2023, the Abkhazian authorities refused to accept the co-chairs of the Geneva discussions. They planned to take part in the 57th meeting of the international Geneva discussions on stability and security in the South Caucasus. According to analysts, the refusal of the Abkhaz authorities was initiated by Russia.
Article Linked To Is Available Only Via VPN.
[EngMilRu] The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.
In Belgorod direction, units of the Sever Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery hit enemy manpower and hardware near Ternovaya, Gatishche (Kharkov region) and Radyanskoye (Sumy region).
The enemy lost up to 60 Ukrainian troops, four motor vehicles, one 155mm U.S.-made M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system, and one Nota electronic warfare station.
In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line, inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of AFU 57th Motorised infantry, 144th Infantry, 21st Mechanised brigades near Sinkovka, Zagoruykovka (Kharkov region), Stelmakhovka (Lugansk People's Republic) and Terny (Donetsk People's Republic).
The AFU losses amounted to up to 30 Ukrainian troops, one infantry fighting vehicle, four armoured personnel carriers, two Kozak armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, two 122mm 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, and one 122mm D-30 howitzer.
In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces have taken more advantageous lines, and inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of AFU 92nd Assault, 28th, 93rd Mechanised brigades close to Andreyevka, Kleshcheyevka, and Kurdyumovka (Donetsk People's Republic).
One counterattack launched by assault groups of the AFU 100th Mountain Assault Brigade was repelled near Vesyoloye (Donetsk People's Republic).
The enemy lost up to 470 Ukrainian troops and 20 motor vehicles.
In the course of the counterbattery warfare, one 155mm U.S.-made M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system, one 155mm Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system, two 152mm 2S3 Akatsiya self-propelled artillery systems, one 122mm 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and three 122mm D-30 howitzers were destroyed.
In Avdeyevka direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation, and hit manpower and hardware of AFU 24th and 115th Mechanised brigades near Novokalinovo (Donetsk People's Republic).
In addition, seven counterattacks of AFU 25th Airborne, 68th, 71st Jaeger, 59th Motorised Infantry, 23rd, 24th, 115th Mechanised brigades were repelled close to Pervomayskoye, Vodyanoye, Novobakhmutovka, Umanskoye, and Berdychi (Donetsk People's Republic).
The AFU losses amounted to up to 460 Ukrainian troops, six tanks, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, and one 122mm D-30 howitzer.
In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line, and defeated units of the 1st National Guard Brigade and the 108th Territorial Defence Brigade near Charivnoye (Zaporozhye region) and Urozhaynoye (Donetsk People's Republic).
The AFU losses amounted to up to 150 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, one 155mm Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system, one 155mm U.S.-made M777 howitzer, and one 122mm D-30 howitzer.
In Kherson direction, units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of AFU 65th Mechanised, 121st and 126th Territorial Defence brigades near Rabotino (Zaporozhye region), Chkalovo (Dnepropetrovsk region), and Mikhailovka (Kherson region).
The AFU losses amounted to up to 55 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, one 122mm D-30 howitzer, one Nota and one Anklav electronic warfare stations.
Operational-Tactical Aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Groups of Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation destroyed one German-made IRS-T anti-aircraft missile launcher and one ammunition depot, as well as engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 129 areas.
Air defence systems shot down 41 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, three French-made HAMMER and U.S.-made JDAM aerial bombs, as well as one U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectile during the day.
In total, 583 airplanes and 270 helicopters, 20,867 unmanned aerial vehicles, 502 air defence missile systems, 15,782 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,266 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,866 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 21,010 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[NewsFront] 23:59 Official summary of the DPR Representative Office in the JCCC from 00:00 04/14/2024 to 00:00 04/15/2024.
A total of 17 facts of armed attacks by the UFU were recorded by the DPR Representative Office in the JCCC over the past 24 hours.
Seven civilians were injured of varying severity.
DAMAGED:
2 residential buildings,
1 shuttle bus.
Seven artillery attacks in the Donetsk direction.
Ten artillery attack in the Gorlovka direction.
A total of 50 units of various ammunition were fired.
22:49 Front bird broadcasts: Khar'kov region.
It is reported that our UAVs were scattered again in Kharkov and the region. Eyewitnesses report the work of both reconnaissance and attack UAVs of the Russian Armed Forces.
22:40 Avdeevskoe direction:
In the evening, a number of positive news comes from the northern flank of the Avdeevsky direction. Today, our attack aircraft advanced with decisive actions in the holiday village “Zarya” towards Ocheretino.
After a number of successes in the dacha village, the assault groups began to advance west of the dacha village and entered the village. Novobakhmutovka, starting a close battle there on the south-eastern outskirts.
21:03 Result of the work of Russian artillerymen with incendiary rockets at the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
19:54 Military correspondent Bluebeard Z reports on the progress of the Russian Armed Forces in Chasov Yar:
“Information is being received about the advance of the Russian army in the Kanal microdistrict of the city of Chasov Yar along Oleg Koshevoy Street from the T-shaped intersection with the street. Gorbatova. The fighting is taking place in a commercial development near the food market.”
19:15 Seven women were injured as a result of attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Gorlovka and Aleksandrovka in the DPR, Pushilin said. Everyone is helped.
A total of 12 attacks were recorded, 34 rounds of ammunition were fired. The VSE officers used 155mm artillery and attack drones.
18:55 They report about the advance of the RF Armed Forces in the area of the settlement. Berdychi.
18:05 Powerful explosions in Dnepropetrovsk. The city was hit by a missile strike.
17:47 Russian Aerospace Forces destroyed another bridge in the rear of the Ukrainian Armed Forces - this time, a well-aimed blow destroyed the bridge over the Kashlagach River in the area of the settlement. Velikaya Novoselka (South Donetsk direction)
17:05 Ukrainian channels report about the new advance of the Russian Armed Forces in the Chasov Yar area
16:32 Artillery supports assault units in the Donetsk direction -video.
16:15 Ukrainian Telegram channels report a powerful explosion in Chernomorsk (Odessa region). Earlier it was reported that a missile was launched towards him.
15:45 The Russian Aerospace Forces launched a massive airstrike against targets in the Khar'kov region.
15:37 They report on the further advance of the Russian army at the Netaylovo-Umanskoye line.
14:44 They report on the further advance of the Russian army in the Chasov Yar area.
13:50 Personnel destruction of the IRIS-T anti-aircraft missile system manufactured in Germany.
13:10 The main thing from the new briefing of the Russian Ministry of Defense:
Within a day, the Russian Armed Forces hit an IRIS-T air defense system launcher and an ammunition depot of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The air defense system destroyed three Hammer and JDAM guided bombs, one HIMARS projectile and 41 Ukrainian Armed Forces drones in one day;
The Russian Armed Forces improved the situation along the front line in the South Donetsk direction and defeated the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the enemy lost up to 150 troops;
The Ukrainian Armed Forces lost up to 470 military personnel in the Donetsk direction per day;
The Ukrainian Armed Forces lost up to 60 military personnel and 6 pieces of equipment in the Belgorod direction;
The Russian Armed Forces in the Kupyansk direction improved the situation along the front line, the Armed Forces of Ukraine lost up to 30 military personnel;
In the Belgorod direction, the group of the Russian Armed Forces “North” struck manpower and equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the areas of the Kharkov and Sumy regions;
In the Avdeevsky direction, the Russian Armed Forces, through active actions, improved the tactical situation; the Armed Forces of Ukraine lost up to 460 military personnel.
13:00 The Russian Armed Forces have made significant progress towards Ocheretino in the Donetsk direction.
12:45 Chasov Yar: RF Armed Forces continue advance in the forest, north of Krasnoye.
Regarding the enemy fortifications along the canal - in addition to the fortifications near Novy, there is a section to the south where the canal runs through pipes. And there are also no such large differences in heights on the banks of the canal. This may allow the advancing assault groups in the forest to overcome the channel and reach the south of Hours of Yar.
12:20 A crew of the 220mm BM-27 Uragan MLRS destroyed an M777 howitzer in the South Donetsk direction –video.
11:47 Situation in the Avdiivka direction from “Whisper Front”:
Our troops are advancing towards the dachas near the railway.
In the center of the direction, the forces of the Russian Armed Forces made strong advances near Umansky, forcing the Ukrainian Armed Forces to withdraw from part of the village. The village itself is about 200 meters away.
On the southern flank of the Avdeevsky direction, Russian military personnel closed the gap between the wedge and the main forces, standing in an even line in front of Netaylovo-Yasnobrodovka.
11:35 The Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked a passenger bus in Donetsk from a drone.
“In the village of Aleksandrovka, as a result of an explosive being dropped from a drone on a bus moving along route No. 99, one woman was injured. The windows of the bus were broken, the roof and interior were damaged,” said the head of the DPR Denis Pushilin.
11:10 Statement Head of the press center of the South group:
Units of the “Southern” group of forces successfully repelled two attacks by enemy assault groups in the area south of Novomikhailovka.
As a result of active actions, they occupied more advantageous positions and defeated the manpower and equipment of the 79th air assault and 46th airmobile brigades in the Krasnogorovka and Antonovka areas.
During the counter-battery fight, two American-made 155mm M777 howitzers, a 152mm D-20 howitzer, a 122mm D-30 howitzer, and a combat vehicle of the Strela-10 anti-aircraft missile system were destroyed.
10:50 Personnel fighting in Krasnogorovka, which shifted to the residential area.
10:27 In the village of Gorokhovatka, Khar'kov region, the Russian Armed Forces hit an air defense complex.They reportthat the APU has minus one IRIS-T installation along with the calculation.
09:57 Situation at the front as of April 14, 2024
Geographically, the LBS has not undergone significant changes. In the area of responsibility of the Vostok group, the enemy is conducting active defensive actions.
In areas of settlement Staromayorskoe and village The Urozhaney Primorye residents occupied the Ukrainian Armed Forces' stronghold and gained a foothold, repelling periodic enemy counterattacks.
In the area of the village Velikaya Novoselka was destroyed by the Crab self-propelled gun with the help of a UAV. In addition, in the area of ??the settlement. Ravnopol Baltic troops destroyed the T-64 tank. As part of the counterbattery fight, 3 120mm 2B11 mortars were destroyed
.
09:00 Frontline report as of the morning of April 14, 2024
Donetsk direction: The southern group of troops took advantageous positions and caused damage to the enemy, as a result of which the Ukrainian Armed Forces lost over 500 military personnel, a tank, three armored combat vehicles, 23 vehicles and a combat vehicle of the Strela-10 anti-aircraft missile system. Active battles in Avdievka and Novokalinovo with effective defeats of Ukrainian Armed Forces equipment, including the successful defeat of an Ukrainian Armed Forces tank when moving to a firing position.
Zaporozhye direction: Russian troops are holding positions in Rabotino, while the Ukrainian Armed Forces are actively preparing a counterattack. Verbovoye remains the site of fierce clashes for control of forest belts, with high activity of enemy reconnaissance UAVs.
Artyomovsk direction: continuation of airstrikes and the use of Lancet kamikaze drones in the Chasov Yar area. Improving tactical positions in Kleshcheevka and striking armored vehicles on the outskirts of Kurdyumovka. Our troops continue to advance towards the canal, approaching 600-650 meters towards it.
08:12 Powerful explosion Ukrainian Armed Forces technicians lifted an entire house into the air.
In the video, enemy equipment moves along the road and drives behind a house, where it is overtaken by Russian artillery fire. As a result, a powerful explosion occurs, sending a column of dust and ash into the air.
08:01 Naval infantry of the Black Sea Fleet destroyed a Ukrainian Armed Forces mortar on the right bank of the Dnieper -video.
Commentary by Russian military journalist Boris Rozhin is in italics.
[ColonelCassad] 1. Iran was solving the problem of implementing retaliatory measures to Israel’s attack on the consulate in Damascus. Iran could not not respond, since this would mean a manifestation of weakness, even within the framework of the general Iranian strategy. And that is why it was impossible to get by with the usual strikes by Iranian proxies from Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen, with which Iran habitually responded to Israeli attacks on its proxy forces. Israel sought to draw Iran into a direct attack by attacking the Iranian consulate, disregarding the Vienna Convention.
2. As part of its strategy, Iran has set the task of implementing a direct response, with strict boundary parameters. The strike should not be too weak, so as not to create the impression that Iran is faking a response, but at the same time, not too strong, so as not to make an Israeli retaliatory strike inevitable, and if it does happen, then make Israel culpable for the subsequent escalation. Hence the observed nature of the night impact.
3. From a diplomatic point of view, Iran justified its strike under the international law of retaliation in connection with the attack on the consulate. From the point of view of old international law, Iran was within its right to strike. But the problem is that international law has not been working for a long time, and within the framework of a “rules-based world order,” there can be no attacks on Israel, and Israel can attack whoever it wants. Yes, this is the bastard order that the United States is trying to preserve, and Russia and China are trying to destroy.
4. The limited nature of the Iranian strike was identical in structure to the strike on the American base of Ain al-Assad in 2020 in response to the American killing of Soleimani and Muhandis in Baghdad. All interested players were informed of the approximate time of the strike, the approximate flight directions of missiles and drones, the nature of the selected targets (military), and the boundary conditions of the response. In this regard, Iran deliberately and consciously abandoned any attempts to achieve operational-tactical surprise, and relied specifically on a targeted frontal penetration of Israeli air defenses at a specified time.
Since there was no goal of starting a full-fledged war, the strikes by Hezbollah, Ansar Allah and Iranian proxies in Syria and Iraq were of a limited auxiliary nature.
5. It is important to understand that Israel did not resist the Iranian attack alone - the US Air Force and Air Defense, British and French Air Forces, and Jordanian Air Defense took part in repelling the attack. Some of the missiles and drones were shot down on approach. In fact, there was massive testing of the consolidated air defense of the United States and Israel in the Middle East in conditions where this air defense could prepare for a strike 72 hours before it was launched.
6. The number of drones and missiles launched is key. Iranian sources said 115 missiles were fired. USA and Israel about 200+ missiles. Plus, according to various estimates, there were from 150 to 400 or even 500 drones. Objective data is not yet sufficient to determine the actual number of missiles and drones launched. In addition, in addition to missiles and drones, Iran launched various decoys and old missiles to overwhelm enemy air defense systems. Iran also used missiles with multiple warheads, which could also be counted as separate missiles.
7. If we talk about the general goals of the attacks, the IRGC states that the purpose of the attack was to break through the Israeli air defense system and defeat the air base from which the consulate in Damascus was attacked, as well as the MOSSAD intelligence facility involved in organizing the attack on the consulate. The choice of targets also shows Iran's commitment to a limited response.
In the event of “burning bridges,” Iran would certainly set as its goal the guaranteed destruction of the reactor in Dimona and buildings in the government quarter in Tel Aviv, starting with the Knesset. The strike tactics included a synchronized strike of drones, cruise and ballistic missiles in order to achieve a guaranteed penetration of the consolidated air defense system of the United States and Israel. Therefore, ballistic missiles were launched at Israel shortly before the bulk of drones and conventional missiles entered Israeli airspace.
The main striking force was the latest Haidar ballistic missiles (range 2000 km, warhead 1.5 tons, protection from electronic warfare + optional multiple warheads). Their task was to break through to their intended targets, hiding behind a cloud of drones and cheap missiles, which were supposed to overload the Iron Dome, Patriots and other air defense systems of Israel and the United States.
8. In general, Iran's tactics worked - some of the ballistic missiles broke through to the air base. Israeli sources report at least 7 arrivals, Iranian sources report 15. Iranian sources also report a successful missile strike on a MOSSAD reconnaissance facility. Israel denies this.
The IDF claims 99% of downed targets, the IRGC claims 50% of successful hits (meaning ballistics). It is obvious that Israel will in every possible way downplay the consequences of the strike and hide the casualties and destruction, since this is a matter of military prestige. It is obvious that Iran will exaggerate the consequences of the strike as much as possible and conduct active information events aimed at increasing the military prestige of the IRGC and the Iranian Armed Forces.
The same thing happened during the strike on Ain al-Assad, when Iran reported enormous damage, and the United States reported 5 wounded (in the end, there were only 135 officially wounded).
9. From a symbolic point of view, Iran decided to save face and respond to the attack on the consulate in Damascus. The Iranian military-political leadership demonstrates complete satisfaction with the received images of Operation True Promise. In addition, Iran became the first state that, for the first time in several decades after Saddam Hussein, directly struck Israel (we do not take proxy strikes into account).
Iran has also demonstrated that even with a limited strike, it can bluntly penetrate the enemy’s prepared air defense head-on, which hints that, if desired, Iran with an even more massive strike can break through the US and Israeli air defenses covering Tel Aviv, Haifa or Dimona. Israel can be satisfied that the strike on the consulate in Damascus is now over, and the damage from the Iranian strike, due to its limited nature, for Israel will be equally limited. But the point here, of course, is not only about material damage (although in addition to direct damage, one must also consider the cost of expenses of both sides - for air defense work, aviation work, drones, etc. - Israeli sources claim that Israel’s expenses alone exceeded $1 billion, and Iran spent several hundred million dollars).
10. Israel is now at a fork in the road. To strike Iran directly means to receive a retaliatory missile strike, even more powerful, which is guaranteed to penetrate the Israeli air defense system. At the same time, the United States has already stated that it will not take part in attacks on Iran, hinting that Israel should limit itself to something like the usual strikes against Hezbollah and Iranian proxies in Syria.
Similarly, Israel is actually warned against attacks on Iran by the United States' European satellites. But this, of course, will be perceived in Israel itself as a sign of weakness, because Iran has shown that it can directly hit Israel directly, which is the intersection of Israeli red lines. There will be no consolidated international condemnation of Iran, either in the UN Security Council or in the world as a whole, because Israel itself is profaning UN Security Council resolutions and violating old international law by ignoring the Vienna Convention. Therefore, Iran will not find itself in international isolation due to the strike, and Israel’s retaliatory strike on Iran will look precisely like a deliberate escalation on the part of Israel with a further increase in the toxicity of Israel outside the countries of the “golden billion.”
Iran has conquered the Muslim street and now revels in its role as the main defender of the Palestinians against the background of the traders and opportunists Erdogan and bin Salman. It was Iran that ensured that for the first time in six months not a single bomb fell on the Gaza Strip. Well, footage of missiles flying at targets in Israel over Al-Aqsa will be in the mainstream of Shiite religious and political propaganda for many years to come.
In general, Iran has solved its problems and now it’s up to the United States and Israel.
Official statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry regarding Iran's night strike on Israel.
On the night of April 14, a large number of missiles and drones were launched into Israel. According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, this attack was carried out within the framework of the right of self-defense in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter in response to attacks on Iranian targets in the region, including the attack on the building of the consular department of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus on April 1, which our country strongly condemned. Unfortunately, due to the position of Western members, the UN Security Council was unable to adequately respond to the attack on the Iranian consular mission.
We express our utmost concern about another dangerous escalation in the region. They have repeatedly warned that the failure to resolve numerous crises in the Middle East, primarily in the area of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which are often fueled by irresponsible provocative actions, will lead to increased tension. We call on all parties involved to exercise restraint. We hope that regional states will solve existing problems through political and diplomatic means. We believe it is important that constructive international players contribute to this.
We draw the attention of Russian citizens located in Israel and neighboring countries, primarily Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, to the need to follow messages and practical recommendations published on the information feeds of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the official websites of Russian foreign institutions in the mentioned countries, the Consular Department and Department of the Situation and Crisis Center of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including in the corresponding section of the updated resource - the “Assistant Abroad” mobile application.
In general, they called for de-escalation, they did not condemn Iran, in fact they supported Iran’s position that this was a retaliatory blow to the attack on the consulate.
And the UN Security Council will not condemn it, so the chances of any documents condemning Iran being adopted in the UN Security Council are zero.PS. Rosaviatsia reported that Iraq, Israel and Jordan have lifted restrictions on civil aviation flights. If something starts to happen, they will be brought in again. But that's it for now.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
