(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Ukraine Invasion Day 326: airstrikes on Dnipro [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.', 'Backgroundurl Avatar_Large', 'Nickname', 'Joined', 'Created_At', 'Story Count', 'N_Stories', 'Comment Count', 'N_Comments', 'Popular Tags'] Date: 2023-01-14 The Kremlin continues to use long-standing false narratives that the Ukrainian government is oppressing religious liberties as moral justification for its refusal to negotiate with Ukraine and likely in the hopes of turning international public opinion against Ukraine. Ukrainian Air Force Spokesperson Yuriy Ignat stated that Russian forces used missiles fired with a sharp ballistic trajectory, possibly modified S-300 and S-400 missiles or Iskander-M systems, to strike Kyiv, noting that Ukrainian forces cannot currently shoot these missiles down when fired from short-range.[4] Ignat explained that S-300 and S-400 missiles launched from Belarus can hit Kyiv in less than two minutes. Ignat stated that Ukraine can only effectively prevent these strikes by destroying Russian S-300 complexes with Ukrainian long-range systems. Ignat added that Russian forces have previously used these modified systems to target Ukrainian infrastructure in Kharkiv and Mykolaiv oblasts. Russian forces launched two waves of missile strikes targeting Ukrainian critical infrastructure on January 14. Ukrainian officials reported that Russian forces conducted 50 missile and three airstrikes against Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro, Vinnytsya, and unspecified settlements in western Ukraine.[1] Russian missile strikes on Dnipro City damaged an apartment building, killing at least 5 people and wounding over 60.[2] The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces struck Ukrainian cities and settlements in two waves: first employing S-300 and S-400 systems in Belarus against ground targets in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast in the morning and later launching 28 cruise missile strikes using Kh-101/Kh-555, Kh-22, sea-based Kalibr, and Kh-59 guided air missiles.[3] The Ukrainian General Staff added that Ukrainian forces shot down 18 cruise missiles and three guided air missiles. x Russians demolished Dnipro highrise with Kh-22 missile that Ukraine can't shoot down Russia launched over 210 Kh-22 in 10 months of war, none were shot down. Only systems like Patriot PAC-3 or SAMP-T can intercept them - 🇺🇦Air Force https://t.co/zkzdB0uPFC pic.twitter.com/PQQfDXZPn4 — Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) January 15, 2023 In its 14 January missile attack on Ukraine, Russia demolished an apartment block in Dnipro with Kh-22 missiles, a type that Ukraine’s air defense can’t shoot down. This official statement from Ukraine’s Air Force, signed by Commander of the Air Forces of Ukraine Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, means that the strike that killed 14 people in the central-Ukrainian city could not be a result of the work of air defense, as President Office advisor Oleksiy Arestovych claimed that evening. According to the Air Force, five Kh-22 cruise missiles were launched from five Russian Tu-22m3 long-range bombers above the Kursk Oblast and the Sea of Azov on 14 January. “There is no doubt” that one of the Kh-22 missiles launched from the Kursk Oblast at about 15:30 hit a high-rise building in the city of Dnipro, the Air force said: radar detected the approximate launch site, altitude, flight speed “The Armed Forces of Ukraine have no firepower capable of shooting down this type of missile. Since the beginning of Russia’s military aggression, more than 210 missiles of this type have been launched at the territory of Ukraine. None of them has been shot down by air defense systems,” the Air Force said. euromaidanpress.com/... x Dnipro today. The screams of Ukrainian civilians buried under the rubble of their high-rise on Orthodox New Year. Russia and its traditional values. pic.twitter.com/iU99hOgkgG — Yaroslav Trofimov (@yarotrof) January 14, 2023 x Absolutely sickening Russian terrorism against the Ukrainian city Dnipro. We can stop this! Give Ukraine the tools it needs to win. Stop with senseless hesitation! pic.twitter.com/xO78TyFeHS — Paul Massaro (@apmassaro3) January 14, 2023 x Ukraine's Emergency Service reported earlier that 73 people were wounded in the attack, including 14 children. — The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) January 15, 2023 x Whoa.. What's REALLY going on in Soledar. About 6 hours ago, our favorite badass Magyar drone team allowed about 50 Russians to load into a local house..then.. I sped up the video on first half. pic.twitter.com/wptNc0iePq — Jay in Kyiv (@JayinKyiv) January 13, 2023 Russian Subordinate Main Effort—Donetsk Oblast (Russian objective: Capture the entirety of Donetsk Oblast, the claimed territory of Russia’s proxies in Donbas) Russian forces continued offensive operations around Soledar on January 14. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces repelled Russian assaults near Rozdolivka (7km north of Soledar), Sil (5km northwest of Soledar), and Krasna Hora (5km southwest of Soledar).[26] A Russian milblogger claimed that Wagner Group fighters continued offensive operations near Krasna Hora and that they almost completely control the settlement.[27] The Russian milblogger also claimed that Wagner Group fighters conducted an assault near Pidhorodne (6km southwest of Soledar).[28] The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) claimed that Russian assault squads in cooperation with units of the Russian Airborne Forces (VDV) conducted unspecified successful operations in the direction of Sil.[29] A Russian milblogger posted footage purporting to show Ukrainian forces removing wounded personnel from the railway station in Sil and claimed that Russian forces are currently fighting for control of the station.[30] Russian sources previously claimed that Russian forces captured the railway station in Sil on January 13, although ISW still cannot independently verify these claims.[31] www.understandingwar.org/... Supporting Effort—Southern Axis (Russian objective: Maintain frontline positions and secure rear areas against Ukrainian strikes) Russian forces continued defensive operations and reinforcement efforts on the east (left) bank of the Dnipro River on January 14. The Ukrainian General Staff and several Ukrainian officials reported the movement of Russian personnel, weapons, military, equipment, and ammunition as Russian forces redeploy units and concentrate forces to strengthen defensive capabilities along the southern axis.[47] Kherson Oblast occupation administration head Vladimir Saldo claimed on January 14 that Russian forces have almost completed the construction of a system of modern fortifications along the east bank of the Dnipro River. Saldo claimed the fortifications are an emergency backup and that he is certain Russian forces will return to Kherson City in 2023.[48] A popular Russian news source reported on January 14 that Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin stated that Russia will complete the reconstruction of all four spans of the damaged section of the Kerch Strait bridge by the end of February.[49] Russian forces continued routine strikes along the west (right) bank of the Dnipro River on January 14.[50] www.understandingwar.org/... x War is dangerous, but Ukraine needs to finish the job. It should be given the tools it needs https://t.co/9lRghlfqh8 — The Economist (@TheEconomist) January 15, 2023 x Let's talk about tanks. Specifically, why they will help Ukraine now and why rumors of their "death" were greatly exaggerated. [THREAD] pic.twitter.com/UZ7RhRFvzc — Paul Poast (@ProfPaulPoast) January 14, 2023 Tanks have been discussed throughout the entire Ukraine-Russia War. But the debate heated up recently (well captured by the "Free the Leopards" campaign) with various NATO countries deciding to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine. Campaign aims to 'embarrass' Germany into sending tanks to Ukraine @RikeFranke is a terrific follow for keeping track of what's going on (especially as it pertains to Germany). Germany has been at the center of the debate because -- as the "Free the Leopards" slogan suggests -- the tanks to be shipped are German built Leopard tanks (which "may" require German approval for others to re-export). News on tanks has been coming fast, butis a terrific follow for keeping track of what's going on (especially as it pertains to Germany).Germany has been at the center of the debate because -- as the "Free the Leopards" slogan suggests -- the tanks to be shipped are German built Leopard tanks (which "may" require German approval for others to re-export). Sending tanks to Ukraine appears to be an obvious thing to do: Russia is using tanks, why shouldn't Ukraine? Indeed, while Ukraine has made progress against Russian forces, sending tanks is seen as a "game changer" @ForeignAffairs piece by @IvoHDaalder & @JimGoldgeier is just one example of such commentary). I write "more analysts" because others saw this war as heading down the protracted route much earlier (for example, Why a "game changer"? Because more analysts are recognizing that this will be a long, protracted war (this newpiece byis just one example of such commentary).I write "more analysts" because others saw this war as heading down the protracted route much earlier (for example, @TheEconomist had a cover story on this becoming a long war back in June) Unroll available on Thread Reader The reality is that the war is now clearly in the fourth scenario that I discussed with @DKThomp back in September: under current conditions, Russia can't win, but won't lose. Tanks could make the difference for Ukraine, allowing for the first scenario. Despite those who are now calling for the sending of tanks, others disagree. Fairly early in the war, the narrative arose that tanks are obsolete... War Will Never Be This Bulky Again ...with the view now popular among non-military experts that tanks are nothing more than "a death trap". This debate calls for us to step back and ask a basic question: what do tanks actually do? From the moment that tanks were first used in 1916 at the Battle of the Somme... Voices of the First World War: Tanks On The Somme ...the answer is pretty straightforward: to provide mobile, protected lethality on the battlefield. The Tank Is Dead: Long Live the Javelin, the Switchblade, the … ? - War on the Rocks As this @TheEconomist interactive explainer states: "Armies...need ways to move their troops forward...need to shield those soldiers as they advance...need firepower to punch through defences. The tank combines these three capabilities in a single device" Does the tank have a future? But tanks alone are not all that useful. For example, research shows that relying on mechanization alone can undermine counter-insurgency. They need to be combined with infantry. Rage Against the Machines: Explaining Outcomes in Counterinsurgency Wars | International Organization | Cambridge Core On a battlefield, tanks need to be combined with both infantry & air power. Think of how German "blitzkriegs" were successful in early World War II because Panzer tanks were supported by low flying airpower. Moreover, tanks are necessary to make other weapons effective. This is the essence of findings that air power works only when combined with ground power. This is why its being pointed out that Russia's failures with tanks in this war is not because tanks are obsolete, but because they are being used wrong. x YouTube Video But there is a more fundamental reason that tanks -- in some form -- will remain relevant to warfare. At the end of the day, war is about territory: invading, acquiring, and holding land. This Land Is No Longer Your Land: A Primer on Territorial Disputes - War on the Rocks Indeed, key to declaring victory in war is the ability to hold land. Holding land requires a physical, protected presence. Tanks offer that. Unroll available on Thread Reader So, no, tanks are not obsolete. In short, tanks will be vital for Ukraine to continue fighting this war. But they are not a "silver bullet" solution for Ukraine. They can be PART of a "game changing" solution to the war, but not the WHOLE solution. [END] • • • x One of the problems with "OSINT" and how this war is perceived is that videos of a tank being destroyed are far more likely to be shared and retweeted. That can give you a false perception of how vulnerable tanks are when there are plenty of videos like this (and with ATGMs). https://t.co/re9XtwuPxx — Rob Lee (@RALee85) January 14, 2023 x "Russian forces have looted tens of thousands of pieces, including avant-garde oil paintings and Scythian gold. Experts say it is the biggest art heist since the Nazis in World War II, intended to strip Ukraine of its cultural heritage." https://t.co/1mtjqV7HHr — Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) January 14, 2023 x Damage to environment caused by Russian aggression surpasses US$46 billionhttps://t.co/F0fNbQaYCn pic.twitter.com/gvk88bL5Dx — Ukrainska Pravda in English (@pravda_eng) January 14, 2023 The Kremlin continues to use long-standing false narratives that the Ukrainian government is oppressing religious liberties as moral justification for its refusal to negotiate with Ukraine, likely in the hopes of turning international public opinion against Ukraine. Nebenzya claimed in his address that the “Zelensky regime” is an “authoritarian dictatorship” that desires “to destroy the canonical church in Ukraine—the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.”[12] Nebenzya likely deliberately misrepresented the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Moscow Patriarchate (UOC MP)—a Kremlin-affiliated institution—as the official Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is a separate entity from the UOC MP. Nebenzya argued that such an “authoritarian dictatorship” represents a major obstacle to peace talks and requested a special meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss alleged state persecution of the "Ukrainian Orthodox Church.”[13] Ukrainian officials are not persecuting religious liberty or the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, however. Russian officials are intentionally misrepresenting Ukrainian efforts to prosecute Kremlin-linked elements of the UOC MP as persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is an independent entity that continues to operate in Ukraine, while the UOC MP is a non-independent subordinate branch of the Kremlin-controlled Russian Orthodox Church, which has fiscally and rhetorically supported Russia’s war in Ukraine.[14] www.understandingwar.org/... x Putin continues to use religion as a weapon of war, says former Maj Gen Mick Ryan @WarintheFuture. We discuss that, the new US weapons package including Bradleys and MRAPs plus the fight for Bakhmut. #UkraineRussiaWar pic.twitter.com/uusw3lchfe — Michael Holmes (@holmescnn) January 8, 2023 [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/1/14/2147199/-Ukraine-Invasion-Day-326-airstrikes-on-Dnipro Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/