The Numbers Begin To Roll In.

I know, it is the 4th but still, life doesn't stop. So, Shoigu gave the count (preliminary):

"Успешно проведена наступательная операция по освобождению территории ЛНР. В течение двух недель окружены и ликвидированы группировки в Горском котле в районах Лисичанска и Северодонецка. <…> Операция завершена вчера освобождением одного из крупнейших городов ЛНР, Лисичанска. Всего в ходе активных наступательных действий взято под контроль 670 квадратных километров территории. Общие потери ВСУ составили 5 469 человек, в том числе безвозвратные 2 218", - сказал он.По словам Шойгу, также ВСУ потеряли 196 танковых и бронированных машин, 12 самолетов, один вертолет, 65 беспилотников, шесть зенитных ракетных комплексов большой дальности, 97 ракетных систем залпового огня, 166 орудий полевой и минометной артиллерии, 216 автомобилей. "В Лисичанске противник бросил 39 танков и других бронированных машин, 11 орудий и минометов". 

Translation: "An offensive operation was successfully carried out to liberate the territory of the LPR. Within two weeks, groups in the Gorsky cauldron in the areas of Lisichansk and Severodonetsk were surrounded and liquidated. <...> The operation was completed yesterday by the liberation of one of the largest cities of the LPR, Lisichansk. control of 670 square kilometers of territory. The total losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine amounted to 5,469 people, including irretrievable 2,218," he said. According to Shoigu, the Armed Forces of Ukraine also lost 196 tanks and armored vehicles, 12 aircraft, one helicopter, 65 drones, six long-range anti-aircraft missile systems, 97 multiple launch rocket systems, 166 field and mortar artillery guns, 216 vehicles. "In Lisichansk, the enemy threw 39 tanks and other armored vehicles, 11 guns and mortars".

The reason I say "preliminary" because it will take some time before additional KIAs of VSU will be removed from rabble, forest areas etc. This removal, usually, lasts couple of weeks and numbers will only grow in terms of KIAs. 

Of course, students of NATO warfare, which is primarily in PR, such as Ze' "adviser" Arestovich already stated (in Russian) that the loss of Severodonetsk and Lysichansk was "a successful operation of VSU". What can I say, it is a well known fact that Nazi Germany also defeated the Soviet Union. So, it is all good. These people are darlings of the Western "elites" because they are very much alike. 

In related news, Combat Approved finally (finally!) went back decades ago and told the story of Victors-III, project 671RTMK SSGNs, capable to carry a strategic cruise missile Granat (they still do) 

This is the history which very few among laymen know, only professionals and people who are into the issue knew what appearance of the first pr. 671 RTM (K--is for same RTMs but carrying cruise missiles) meant--in 1979 when the first one was launched--it meant that Soviet SSNs were now going toe to toe with the Los Angeles-class subs of the US Navy. I wrote and spoke a lot on the issue of Soviet technology of 1980s--it was beginning not only to catch up in terms of overall performance, always good, but in specific terms of signal processing, quieting and other crucial parameters. That is why Normal Polmar gave this forecast in 1989. 

From this book:
 

I would say that he was very accurate in his prediction. Which still doesn't negate the fact of the US Navy having today a world-class, top-tier submarine force. Even when one considers a very negative dynamics for the US Armed Forces as a whole. But for now, US sub fleet is a hugely potent force with state-of-the-art technologies and still very high level of training of its personnel. What will be its future? Who knows. A transition from old and nearing moral obsolescence Ohio-class SSBNs to modern Columbia-class SSBNs should demonstrate some trends. For now it is very slow. But we'll see.

I Got A Hint From Our Friend Mr. WHAT;))

He posted this thing in three other threads, so I created a separate post for this. This is the Military Approved (in reality Military Acceptance)--an immensely popular show for military buffs and intelligence people around the world--about Russia's Armed Forces. TV Zvezda is nothing like ever timid and secretive Служу Советскому Союзу (Serve To Soviet Union) which was, frankly boring and instead of showing off Soviet Union's best achievements in war-fighting capability, was focusing primarily on political organs-sanctioned routine about every-day activities in the armed forces from the point of view of party-political work. It was so limited in scope that we often shouted into the damn TV screen that Soviet Armed Forces had things other than proverbial missile-boats of project 205 and MiG-21 fighters. People didn't see the project 941 Akula (Typhoon in NATO specs) SSBN until Gorbachev visited Northern Fleet in either 1987 or 1988 and the Calendar with this hi-tech monster started to appear in the press retail kiosks. In other words, Soviet Union's military "soft power" sucked. Well, times have changed. 

This is Military Approved insight into the new, primarily troops Air Defense (VKS anti air/missile is also presented), including latest in Buk line, Buk-M3. It is in Russian, but for serious buff the language is not an obstacle, because it shows some things for which, should such level of insight have been disclosed in Soviet times, one could expect a court martial. Not anymore. This whole thing basically explains why no drone or swarms of drones, or missiles, ever penetrated air-defense of Russian bases at Khmeimim and Tartus in Syria. Yes, there were attacks with variants of MLRS--all rockets have been intercepted. It also shows (partially) the level of net-centiricty and flexibility of Russia's air defense which simply... well, has nothing even in the same vicinity in the world. Nothing, zilch, nada. Russia's anti-air and anti-missile defense, both of Russian air space and troops is a fully integrated, many levels of redundancy, unified system capable to repel pretty much anything by creating an immensely hostile kinetic and EW environment for any present and perspective target, from drones to aircraft, to ballistic missiles, in any diapason of velocities and elevations and ECM. Nothing like this exists in the world, not even close. So, here it is, enjoy.