Ukraine

Seems like something is happening in Ukraine,could be the start of the Ukrainian offensive.

Interesting how the video ends with a couple of F-16's.

Those pictures of the dam are from before. Might be when it was partially damaged last November when the Russians evacuated Kherson oblast.

Denys Davydov has posted a 2 minute drone video on his Telegram channel, and there isn't much left:
t.me/s/pilotblog

There is no doubt that the training of troops and supply of weapons is not as announced to the public. We know that Uke pilots are being trained on the F-16 in the US. Yesterday, the Foreign Secretary confirmed that we are training Uke personnel on the F-16. I doubt this is with the pilot's but more to do with the ground crew for maintenance/re-fueling/re-arming etc to NATO standards.
Ne need to give the Russians a timeline as to when these weapon systems appear. There is no doubt in my mind that the Ukes will get F-16's and I believe they will start to appear over Ukraine very soon.

Meanwhile the full-scale offensive hasn't yet started, in my opinion. I believe that we are seeing probing attacks in many areas, with the Ukes then deciding where to strike based on what those probes reveal. 

Ukraine says Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is at risk..Paul Adams, Diplomatic correspondent, in Ukraine.

Ukraine has accused Russia of blowing up the dam. This seems the most logical explanation, as Russia probably feared that Ukraine would use it to get troops across the river in its latest counter-offensive.

Destruction of the dam may have other consequences.

A vital channel carrying water from the Dnipro to Russian-occupied Crimea, which starts at Nova Khakovka, is likely to be affected, as well as the nuclear power station at Zaporizhzhia, which sits on the bank of the Dnipro around 160km upstream.

In a statement this morning, Andryi Yermak, head of President Zelensky’s office, said Russia would be responsible for depriving the people of Crimea of drinking water and said Russia’s actions “pose a threat to the ZNPP” (Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant).

Situation is currently under control at nuclear plant - Ukrainian atomic company

We have this statement from Energoatom, Ukraine’s state nuclear energy generating company, about the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP), following destruction of the dam at Nova Kakhovka:

Quote Message: The undermining of the Kakhovska hydroelectric power plant may have negative consequences for the ZNPP, but the situation is under control.
The undermining of the Kakhovska hydroelectric power plant may have negative consequences for the ZNPP, but the situation is under control.

Quote Message: On the night of 6 June 2023, the Russian invaders blew up the dam of the Kakhovska HPP [plant]. As a result of the detonation, the water level in the Kakhovskyy reservoir is rapidly decreasing, which is an additional threat to the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP.
On the night of 6 June 2023, the Russian invaders blew up the dam of the Kakhovska HPP [plant]. As a result of the detonation, the water level in the Kakhovskyy reservoir is rapidly decreasing, which is an additional threat to the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP.

Quote Message: Water from the Kakhovsky reservoir is necessary for the station to receive power for turbine capacitors and safety systems of the ZNPP. The station's cooling pond is now full.
Water from the Kakhovsky reservoir is necessary for the station to receive power for turbine capacitors and safety systems of the ZNPP. The station's cooling pond is now full.

Quote Message: As of 08:00, the water level is 16.6 metres, which is sufficient for the station's needs. Currently, the situation at the ZNPP is under control, Ukrainian personnel are monitoring all indicators. In the event of a change in the situation, Energoatom will promptly inform about the state of affairs.”
As of 08:00, the water level is 16.6 metres, which is sufficient for the station's needs. Currently, the situation at the ZNPP is under control, Ukrainian personnel are monitoring all indicators. In the event of a change in the situation, Energoatom will promptly inform about the state of affairs.”

Dam destruction could have number of serious consequences

The destruction of the dam at Nova Khakovka could have serious consequences in a number of directions. Most immediately, communities downstream are now facing the possibility of widespread flooding.

The authorities in Kherson, less than 50 miles downstream, have warned residents in low lying parts of the city to evacuate as quickly as possible and seek shelter on higher ground.

There are other dangers.

The dam holds back the waters of the Dnipro, forming a vast reservoir that provides water for a host of communities upstream.

The reservoir also provides cooling water for Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, Zaporizhzhia, around 100 miles upstream.

The authorities in Kyiv say the situation at the Zaporizhzhia plant, which has been occupied by Russian troops since last year, is “under control”, but could deteriorate if the plant’s cooling pond starts to empty.

Several implications for the dam...
- Flooding downstream (people, houses, wildlife affected).
- Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant at risk upstream - cooling problem.
- Crimea - water supply potentially cut off. The North Crimean Canal carries the water supply from the Dnipro.

I am wondering if the Ukes offensive (or part of it) was going to be in the area that is now flooded,maybe the Russians knew this and blew up the dam to stop it, but with so much misinformation we might never know....writing a history of this war will be a difficult task.

A Leopard 1 against infantry is still better than no tank at all. Remember, the main role of a tank is not to fight other tanks, but infantry and light vehicles.