S-300 Analysis, Hellscapes, & Insight into Bakhmut
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"Absolute destruction just everywhere it just i the only thing to do with these is absolutely bulldoze entire towns possibly cities and just start again absolutely start again which would be interesting from a design point of view"
Hello Team!
Jonathan introduces this as an "extra" video providing additional insight and information about the war in Ukraine. He mentions having a cup of tea.
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S-300 Surface-to-Air Missile System
- The Russian S-300 surface-to-air missile system was used overnight against Zaporizhzhia city, causing damage. Footage shows the aftermath.
- The S-300 has been in service since 1978 with updates over the years. It is well-regarded and concerning when Iran started acquiring it.
- The system has a secondary ground-to-ground mode, a capability built into the original 1979 design, but not used much in active warfare until recently in Ukraine.
- This ground-to-ground use was reported on by Vitaly Kim and Danim Mikhailov months ago as a new development. Calibre Obscura (of Ukraine Weapons Tracker) provided more details.
- The S-300 is inaccurate in the secondary ground-to-ground role with a "village-sized CEP". This may explain seemingly civilian targets being hit.
- Russia has the most missile stocks of S-300s (8000+) compared to other types. They are difficult to take out as installations.
- Defeating the S-300 is challenging and requires a combination of specialised aircraft and standoff munitions according to experts. Regional militaries struggle against it.
Footage from the Frontlines
- Clip of a gunfight on the Dnipro River with a boat taking heavy machine gun fire.
- Aerial footage of a Ukrainian Mi-24V helicopter, one of four donated by the Czech Republic, in action.
- Two Ukrainian helicopters firing rockets at positions in Bakhmut.
The Hellscape of Bakhmut
Jonathan reflects on the apocalyptic scenes of destruction in Marinka and other frontline areas:
- Almost no vegetation or signs of life remain, just flattened, colourless hellscapes
- The only option may be to completely bulldoze entire towns and cities to rebuild
- An opportunity to create purpose-built, efficient, sustainable cities of the future in Ukraine if done thoughtfully
Asymmetric Costs of Drone Defence
The New York Times reports that Ukraine has to spend about 7 times more than the cost of each cheap Iranian drone to shoot them down with surface-to-air missiles ($20K vs $140K). Some NASAMS missiles may cost up to $500K each - a 25X multiple. This is unsustainable. Alternative solutions like the GEPARD are needed.
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Frontline Report from Bakhmut
French newspaper L'Église embedded with troops in Bakhmut. Null Reports collaborated on the story.
- Journalists met with a battalion on Nov 29 to film their operations
- Entered Bakhmut from the west passing a Ukrainian T-72B tank
- Artillery fire intensified as they drove further into the largely-destroyed ghost town
- An estimated 7,500-12,500 civilians still live in Bakhmut, mostly in basements without utilities
- Joined a Ukrainian drone team directing artillery strikes on Wagner Group mercenary positions
- Demand for small drones is high but supply is limited. Average life expectancy of a drone is very low, with constant losses.
- Directly observed artillery hitting Russian targets after a drone team relayed coordinates
- Spoke to Ukrainian soldier Alexander who said artillery works well but they lack enough drones
- Commander described the situation as difficult but under control. Morale remains high.
Wrap up
Jonathan will do a separate video analysing the Russian missile hit caught live on French TV. He also promotes an upcoming live interview with a fellow Ukrainian YouTuber who is a conservative Christian, contrasting with his own liberal atheist views, to find common ground on Ukraine. The interview will be on his other channel "A Tippling Philosopher".
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