They're winged aircraft. they're not like a quad-copter. It's more like a small plane loaded with explosives.

Thanks. Hard for me to keep up with this rapid change in drone technology.

Waffledynamics said:

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For the 5,000th time, Russia will not use a nuke. It has way, way, way more to lose if it does that.

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I tend to agree. However, Putin & his military aren't rational. Could you clarify what more could they lose. Are you implying there would be a nuclear response against Russia?

aggiehawg said:

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Thanks. Hard for me to keep up with this rapid change in drone technology.

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Fortunately, the same goes for Russia.

richardag said:

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Waffledynamics said:

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For the 5,000th time, Russia will not use a nuke. It has way, way, way more to lose if it does that.

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I tend to agree. However, Putin & his military aren't rational. Could you clarify what more could they lose. Are you implying there would be a nuclear response against Russia?

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NATO/Western conventional retaliation: U.S. and NATO officials have warned of "catastrophic consequences." Likely responses include massive conventional strikes on Russian forces in Ukraine (e.g., destroying the Black Sea Fleet, air defenses, supply lines, and command nodes) without necessarily crossing into Russian territory or using nukes. Former officials like David Petraeus have suggested responses that could "destroy" exposed Russian troops.


No guaranteed military victory: A nuke might create a contaminated zone (I would add the contaminated zone would include some of Russia since prevailing winds blow in that direction) or terrorize civilians, but Ukraine's resolve has proven extremely high. It could harden Ukrainian and Western determination rather than force surrender. Russia would still face insurgency, occupation costs, and a more united opposition.

Global pariah status: Russia would become far more isolated than after 2022. Even current partners like China and India (who oppose nuclear proliferation and instability) could distance themselves or reduce support, as nuclear use threatens their interests.

Loss of neutral or sympathetic voices: Many Global South countries that have stayed neutral or criticized Western sanctions would likely condemn Russia strongly.

Regime stability: Putin's domestic narrative relies on "special military operation" framing and avoiding existential risks. A nuke could signal desperation, erode elite/military support if it backfires, and invite internal challenges.

Supercharged sanctions: Current sanctions already hurt. Nuclear use would trigger far harsher, broader measuressecondary sanctions on banks, energy buyers, and enablers; potential oil export bans; SWIFT exclusions for more entities; and asset seizures.

Trade collapse: Even China might curtail some dealings to avoid secondary sanctions and global fallout. Energy revenues (Russia's lifeline) would plummet further.

Long-term stagnation: Russia would face deeper technological isolation, capital flight, and brain drain. Reconstruction or recovery would become nearly impossible under sustained pressure.

Undermining its own nuclear deterrent value: Breaking the taboo weakens the "nuclear weapons have not been used since 1945" norm, which benefits Russia as a nuclear power. It could accelerate proliferation elsewhere and justify stronger Western countermeasures.

Strengthened NATO and Western unity: It would likely boost European defense spending, U.S. commitment (or pressure for it), and Ukrainian aidopposite of Russia's goal of dividing the West.

Environmental and humanitarian blowback: Radiation would affect Russian-border regions, occupied territories, and potentially allies/neutrals, causing long-term health, agricultural, and political costs. Russia would own the legacy of first nuclear use in war since 1945.

lololol

Ukraińskie służby potrzebowały tylko 5 dni na przeprowadzenie ataku na pokazany w reportażu zakład, który był "bohaterem" rosyjskiej telewizji.

21 czerwca rosyjska TV wyemitowała reportaż w programie Vesti. Pokazano w nim kulisy pracy tajnego, strategicznego przedsiębiorstwa… pic.twitter.com/Tq4s7zsYwt

— Takeshi Kovacs (@PrzemekShura) July 2, 2026

Ukrainian services needed only 5 days to carry out an attack on the facility shown in the report, which was a "hero" of Russian television.

On June 21, Russian TV aired a report in the Vesti program. It showcased the behind-the-scenes work of the secret, strategic arms enterprise Titan-Barrikady in Volgograd.

Employees spoke on camera about unique, modern lathes and specialized machines imported from South Korea, the Czech Republic, or Italy. Journalists displayed the interiors of production halls, making it easier for Ukrainian analysts (including those from the InformNapalm group) to precisely locate key machines within the factory's structure.

And already on June 27, the SZU carried out a strike with FP-5 Flamingo cruise missiles on the facility presented in the report. Of the five missiles launched, at least three struck targets directly within the complex.

According to analyses of satellite images from July 1, it was precisely those halls containing the unique machine park that were destroyed.

[Do not post material that bypasses obscenity filters -- Staff]

I dont really see those things happening though. More likely, everyone would become too chicken chit to do anything, real quickly.

The reason Putin has not and will not give up, as long as he's in charge, is because he isnt fighting for Ukraine at this point, he's fighting for future respect/ influence in his region and the world. Notice how Belarus, Kazak, etc have started to tell him no when that would have never happened pre-war. That's what he's fighting for. Political influence on the world stage for the next 50 years. He'll do whatever he feels is most likely to reestablish the clout that has been lost. Even if that means killing millions of his own.

I suspect this is what he told Trump in their meetings and Trump believed him.

Just minutes later, the death toll has already risen to over 86, with many more now confirmed badly injured. Entire 9-floor apartment blocks destroyed, kids sleeping inside. russia can't win this war, so it just keeps on with its genocidal ambitions of eradicating us all. 🤬🤬🤬 pic.twitter.com/zaG9b7x1vc

— Richard Woodruff 🇺🇦 (@frontlinekit) July 2, 2026

Just realized that all that rubble is half covering a playground.

Russian media Rybar says they expect an announcement that Kostyantynivka has been fully taken sometime in July pic.twitter.com/ikE7mbik7o

— Preston Stewart (@prestonstew_) July 2, 2026

Russian soldier and author, Daniil Tulenkov, reported that Russian troops raped parents and forced their children to watch in occupied Ukraine.

According to one of the Russian rapists: "I was weeding Ukrainian out of children. I was making them russian people." pic.twitter.com/etI185BRs0

— Anonymous (@YourAnonCentral) July 2, 2026

Russia has destroyed the Ukrainian Red Cross warehouse in Kyiv, according to the humanitarian mission's press service.

320,000 units of relief supplies and equipment were destroyed in the process.

Items stored in the warehouse included generators, medical devices, and equipment… pic.twitter.com/OOg6e4MGHu

— Jürgen Nauditt 🇩🇪🇺🇦 (@jurgen_nauditt) July 2, 2026

❗️Ukraine plans to purchase around 100 Patriot interceptor missiles using a €1 billion EU loan. The Ministry of Defense reported this amid a nighttime attack involving 25 ballistic and hypersonic missiles. The contract has not yet been signed. This year, Ukraine began receiving… pic.twitter.com/1NPd9c6m9d

— 🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 (@front_ukrainian) July 2, 2026

After the Russians recorded their usual propaganda flag videos in Kopani, Huljajpole direction, the Ukrainians entered it and recorded a video with their presence instead, then showing the captured Russian flagger.

It’s always like this: the flaggers enters a territory often not… pic.twitter.com/O7gUdkOjIJ

— Playfra (@Playfra0) July 2, 2026

Photos from a Geran-Seeker OWA drone. According to Serhii Flash, they have mesh modems and a Rasberry Pi with automatic target recognition and automated terminal guidance.https://t.co/Ue47SWNoAH https://t.co/yWawtiYCwK pic.twitter.com/ZGpcQrxOew

— Rob Lee (@RALee85) July 2, 2026

fullback44 said:

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GAC06 said:

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Rossticus said:

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Defense Minister's advisor "Flash" reported that the Russian Federation has begun deploying "Molniya" UAVs stripped of their control antennas. The drone was equipped with only a camera and a computer. Serhii Beskrestnov emphasizes that navigation, target acquisition, and attacks… pic.twitter.com/RikSKqPti4

— WarTranslated (@wartranslated) July 1, 2026

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That's a big development if true

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What exactly does this mean for some of us non tech savvy people ?

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Can't jam or spoof it.

It's basically using inertial navigation (it knew where it started and can calculate where it's at) combined with video inputs sent to a computer algorithm that can give it information about where it's at to help update the inertial navigation.

Ups. Russians sounding the alarm about the GLOC at Mariupol right now! pic.twitter.com/4xUxa3FQFJ

— @BrennpunktUA 🇩🇪🇺🇦 (@BrennpunktUA) July 2, 2026

BAVOVNA in Mariupol 💥💥💥 pic.twitter.com/hCcF184z3q

— MAKS 26 🇺🇦👀 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) July 2, 2026

There's something wrong with Russian artillery, and I've thinking this for months. Let me explain: it's obvious Russia suffer may arty losses (even if the Ukr general staff exagerates them), and the battlefield shows it. However... https://t.co/9q4ip4OiuF

— Jompy (@Jonpy99) July 2, 2026

So either the losses are catastrophic (again, likely not at the level of Ukr statements, but still huge) or they're somehow conserving their beat stocks. I doubt the second, as arty unlike armor is still very much needed in the current battlefield conditions.

— Jompy (@Jonpy99) July 2, 2026

🇺🇦 The USA admitting Ukraine has not been dumping its aid on the international black market.

This snippet is from the special inspector general report to the United States Congress: Operation Atlantic resolve Including U.S. government activities related to Ukraine, January 1,… pic.twitter.com/8TvHOZ0rDx

— Jeff2146🇧🇪 (@Jeff21461) July 2, 2026

2/ The Russians are currently trying to link up two pockets on the border in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine, to the east and west of the Russian village of Sereda, by attacking to the south. However, Ukrainian drones are reportedly making this unbearably bloody. pic.twitter.com/6aHiPEmy1g

— ChrisO_wiki (@ChrisO_wiki) July 2, 2026

Rossticus said:

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❗️Ukraine plans to purchase around 100 Patriot interceptor missiles using a €1 billion EU loan. The Ministry of Defense reported this amid a nighttime attack involving 25 ballistic and hypersonic missiles. The contract has not yet been signed. This year, Ukraine began receiving… pic.twitter.com/1NPd9c6m9d

— 🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 (@front_ukrainian) July 2, 2026

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JFC...

4 years in, and the Russians can't even take a bunch of farmland...

Putin has increased his personal security detail. Feeling the heat. What it must feel like to know that your enemies are circling you waiting for the kill shot. Which will inevitably come. He will not pass of natural causes.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/01/paranoid-putin-increases-personal-security-to-800-officers/

Great interview by Preston Stewart covering several interesting topics on advancements by Ukraine in FPV and UGV drones, among other platforms. Well worth a listen if you have the time:

Mise à jour du tableau des brigades d'artillerie séparées ukrainiennes.

Depuis un an, on constate les mêmes tendances :

🟦Augmentation de la masse de systèmes qui s'est traduite par la création de huit BA supplémentaires avec l'objectif atteint d'une BA par corps d'armée.… pic.twitter.com/I0e9rmnUQo

— STEVIUS (@Stevius21) July 2, 2026

"Update of the table of Ukrainian separate artillery brigades.

For a year, we have observed the same trends:

Increase in the mass of systems, which has resulted in the creation of eight additional ABs with the objective achieved of one AB per army corps.

Greater standardization with the presence of the 2S22 in 18 of the ABs and a gradual disappearance of old Soviet systems (except for the BM-21), particularly the 2A36 Giatsint-B, whose conversion to 2P22 Bohdana-BG has accelerated.

The CAESArs now represent the 2nd largest group (110-120) among self-propelled systems, present in three ABs."

Daily Ukraine map thread for Thursday 2nd July 2026

We're back from a short jaunt to the east, and catch up has begun. You'll likely have seen the long range strikes already, so we'll just catch you up on the midstrike campaign.

Around Donetsk, Russian bloggers published plenty… pic.twitter.com/q0dBfR8rfh

— Ukraine Control Map (@UAControlMap) July 2, 2026

SBU CONFIRMS: TWO RUSSIAN AIRBASES OBLITERATED IN CRIMEA! ✈️🔥🦅

We have an immediate upgrade to the intelligence map! The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has officially broken its silence, confirming a highly successful twin-strike operation targeting two major Russian… pic.twitter.com/heZX5QRryZ

— Jarl Finland (@jalle51) July 3, 2026

We have an immediate upgrade to the intelligence map! The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has officially broken its silence, confirming a highly successful twin-strike operation targeting two major Russian airfields in occupied Crimea overnight.

The SBU's operational breakdown confirms devastating infrastructure and hardware losses for Moscow:

Saky Airbase Hammered Again: Hit for the second time this week, the Saky installation suffered catastrophic losses. At least 7 Russian combat jets (including Su-30SM, Su-30, and Su-24 variants) are confirmed as either heavily damaged or entirely destroyed inside their hangars.

Hvardiyske Airbase Engulfed: Simultaneously, Ukrainian long-range capabilities neutralized the Hvardiyske airbase, completely leveling 2 tactical hangars filled with Shahed kamikaze drones and specialized aviation maintenance equipment.

My take:This is a comprehensive, multi-dimensional tightening of the noose around Crimea. Ukraine isn't just paralyzing heavy military rail logistics by blacking out electrical substationsthey are systematically blinding and grounding the Russian Aerospace Forces on the peninsula. By liquidating these multi-million dollar jets and burning through Russia's frontline drone reserves, Kyiv is stripping the occupiers of their operational leverage.
The SBU isn't asking for permissionthey are kicking the door wide open. The clock is ticking, Putin's airfields are burning, and the defensive crust of the occupation is shattering!

💥 In the last 48 hours, Ukrainian drones destroyed 10 electrical substations in occupied Crimea.

• 35 kV “Ozernenskaya”
• 110 kV “Rodnikovo”
• 110/35 kV “Vypasnoe”
• 220 kV “Donuzlav”
• 110 kV “Kar’ierne”
• 110 kV “Mityaevo”
• 220 kV “Feodosiyskaya”
• 330 kV… pic.twitter.com/YCXdVHq9fL

— Igor Sushko (@igorsushko) July 2, 2026

Ukrainian strikes on the Crimean power grid have forced mandatory rationing, as announced by the Crimean power authority today.

Residents have been instructed to shut off air conditioning, televisions, washing machines, and more. Rolling blackouts will also be in effect. pic.twitter.com/6zc7qN3BxL

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) July 3, 2026

Would be interesting to see corroboration. That just sounds too good to be true.

Russian anti-drone rounds made by Rostec are being delivered to the front. These are made in 5.45 and 7.62 and designed to break into three parts increasing the likelihood of striking an incoming drone. pic.twitter.com/hjIqcXGgmV

— Preston Stewart (@prestonstew_) July 3, 2026

Russia's fuel crisis now firmly hitting agriculture in both Russia and Russian occupied Ukraine, with farmers complaing that they cant even water crops, as the pumps run on diesel that is no longer available.

Crops that are ready to be harvested cannot be, and even spraying for… pic.twitter.com/skY5KhSI0q

— Jay in Kyiv (@JayinKyiv) July 3, 2026

👀 Evacuation from Crimea begins: the occupation authorities have received an order to fully evacuate valuable documents and equipment, — ATESH. pic.twitter.com/H4uKP8l4DM

— 🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 (@front_ukrainian) July 3, 2026

❗️Russia destroyed the largest poultry farm in Europe: the enterprise was hit with KABs

Russia struck the enterprise in Chornobayvka in the Kherson region. After the attack, a large-scale fire broke out, a significant part of the production complex was destroyed. pic.twitter.com/mo6T1I2RRQ

— MAKS 26 🇺🇦👀 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) July 3, 2026

https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2026/07/03/nato-aware-of-alleged-russian-plan-to-launch-military-provocation-against-alliance-report/

Russia is reportedly preparing a very limted incursion into Poland to convince NATO it needs to protect itself rather than arming Ukraine.

❌ Lukoil's largest refinery, Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez, has halted oil processing after a drone attack on July 2, — The Moscow Times. pic.twitter.com/laIOwWaPLs

— MAKS 26 🇺🇦👀 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) July 3, 2026

⚡️⚡️⚡️BREAKING: Ukraine's drone strikes have crippled Lukoil's NORSI refinery, Russia's 4th-largest by capacity and 2nd-largest gasoline producer, halting operations after damaging key AVT-6 (53%) and AVT-5 (25%) units. With ~15-17M tons annual crude processing and 5M tons… pic.twitter.com/iDuQG4EQUS

— Kyrylo Shevchenko (@KShevchenkoReal) July 3, 2026