Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

TexasTowelie

TexasTowelie's Journal
TexasTowelie's Journal
December 26, 2024

26 Dec: Shocking Betrayal: Russians Set North Koreans On Fire to Take Credit for the Battle. - Reporting from Ukraine



Today, there is interesting news from the Kursk direction.

Here, the Russian military, bolstered by North Korean forces, attempted a bold assault to eliminate a critical Ukrainian bridgehead east of the Psel River. This move set off a series of intense battles and revealed the lengths Russians would go to keep North Korean involvement a secret and take credit for their victories.

The Russian objective, supported by North Korean troops, in this sector of the Kursk salient, was clear: to neutralize the Ukrainian presence east of the Psel River, which posed a significant threat to their operations. This strategic move aims to neutralize a possible Ukrainian penetration toward Borki and potentially Giri, which Ukrainians have already reached once early in the Kursk offensive. Such a repeated advance would disrupt Russian operations across the Kursk salient, as it would force the redeployment of troops and resources to this sector, away from their efforts in the northwest.

The key position here was Plekhovo, which was defended only by a small Ukrainian contingent due to its location in the lowlands and the connected logistical disadvantages, being separated from the rest of the Kursk salient by the Psel River. Exploiting these vulnerabilities, North Korean troops advanced through minefields and reportedly achieved a breakthrough by seizing the village in a highly attritional operation lasting two hours. Geolocated footage from the region confirms the huge columns of North Korean troops advancing to achieve their first success in the area. Despite this, tensions quickly emerged as Russian forces started looking for a way to claim credit for the victory after initial reports suggested that Russian units only entered Plekhovo after the North Koreans had secured it.

In a brutal twist, reports from Ukrainian intelligence and President Volodymyr Zelensky indicate that Russian forces started to burn the faces of deceased North Korean soldiers to conceal their identities. This grisly act, confirmed by drone footage, underscores Russia’s effort to obscure the presence of foreign troops on its soil and avoid acknowledging its reliance on North Korean forces to reclaim its own territory. Additionally, Ukrainian officials have alleged that North Korean soldiers are being disguised as Russian personnel, highlighting the Kremlin’s desperate attempts to maintain the facade of self-sufficiency.

Following the capture of Plekhovo, Russian forces sought to capitalize on their momentum, and achieve a propaganda victory by advancing toward Oleksandriya and into Ukrainian territory, as Russian state TV was quick to claim a success. Unfortunately for Russians, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces thwarted this attempt with precision strikes from drones and ambush tactics, forcing the Russian saboteurs to retreat to their own territory, however Ukrainian units decided this was not enough. They pursued those that went past the border and eliminated both them and the remaining enemy forces, dealing a quick blow to Russian aspirations of further gains and spoiling the desired propaganda effect.

Undeterred, Russian commanders decided to once again rely on North Korean troops, this time deploying them in a high-risk river crossing assault on Kurilovka. Lacking the tactical advantages present at Plekhovo, and forced to storm without cover, the North Korean forces were decimated by Ukrainian drone operators while still trying to cross the river. The aftermath of the failed assault left the water littered with the bodies of North Korean soldiers, marking another devastating failure for them in the region.

Overall, Russia’s continuing reliance on North Korean troops highlights a pattern of attritional and questionable tactics. Despite their initial success near Plekhovo, the North Koreans have suffered staggering losses, with Ukrainian intelligence estimating over 220 casualties in just a few days of combat. These heavy losses, combined with Russia’s efforts to conceal their presence, paint a grim picture of the exploitation of the North Korean fighters in the war. The Kremlin’s reliance on North Korean troops underscores the challenges it faces in sustaining its operations. While these troops provide numerical support, their lack of combat experience and the brutal treatment they receive from their Russian counterparts limit their effectiveness. Ultimately, the deployment of North Korean forces serves as a desperate attempt to bolster Russia’s faltering campaign in Kursk while exposing the depths of its logistical and strategic vulnerabilities.
December 26, 2024

Teamsters President Dominates Fox Host... He Panics! - Rebel HQ



Workers at seven Amazon facilities in the U.S. staged a walkout early Thursday amid the holiday shopping rush, seeking to push the retailer into union contract negotiations. Richard Ojeda breaks it down on Rebel HQ.
December 26, 2024

Russian "technological duels" in propaganda - Break The Fake - TVP World



Comrade Tsar Putin, stop teasing. If you’re going to start a global conflict, at least do it with some style—maybe by dramatically pressing a giant red button surrounded by flashing lights and ominous sirens.
December 26, 2024

Russia says it foiled Ukrainian plots to kill senior officers - Reuters



Russia's Federal Security Service said it had foiled several plots by Ukrainian intelligence services to kill high-ranking Russian military officers and their families in Moscow, using bombs disguised as power banks or document folders.

====================

Real news or propaganda?
December 26, 2024

Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace - 90% Done, 100% Stuck - Eastern Express - TVP World



Armenia and Azerbaijan entered 2024 determined to finally secure a peace agreement. Optimism ran high after confidence-building measures and international mediation efforts. Yet critical demands and preconditions prevented the deal from being signed, even as COP29 loomed. This episode of Eastern Express unpacks the year’s twists and turns, revealing how close they came to peace – and what 2025 might bring.
December 26, 2024

Trump Stunt Backfires In His Face + Reveals His Racism - Rebel HQ



President-elect Donald Trump has reiterated his desire to rename North America’s tallest mountain, Alaska’s Denali, back to Mount McKinley, reigniting a long-standing and sensitive debate over the peak’s name. David Shuster breaks it down on Rebel HQ.
December 26, 2024

How Syria could trigger a regional war - CaspianReport



Israel has taken out Syria's air defenses and is paving the way to launch pre-emptive airstrikes on Iran’s military and nuclear sites.
December 26, 2024

Indian Rupee Crashes to All Time Low - Joe Blogs



In this video I discuss the ongoing decline in the value of the Indian Rupee, which has fallen to a new all time low, and the impact on the Indian Economy. India is now the world's 5th largest economy however very few countries are prepared to trade in Indian Rupees meaning that India is forced to trade in US Dollars, Chinese Yuan and UAE Dirhams. India is a net importer and a decrease in the value of its currency causes prices to rise and the Inflation data for November shows that inflation is now starting to take off which is bad news for the Indian Economy and also the value of the Rupee.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:34 RUPEE
1:45 GDP
3:07 TRADE DEFICIT
3:29 INFLATION
4:19 SUMMARY & CONCLUSION
December 26, 2024

Democrats score surprise win with federal judges - Brian Tyler Cohen



Democracy Watch episode 232: Marc Elias discusses a major Democratic victory as certain federal judges opt not to retire in light of Biden failing to to name their successors.

Profile Information

Gender: Male
Hometown: South Texas. most of my life I lived in Austin and Dallas
Home country: United States
Current location: Bryan, Texas
Member since: Sun Aug 14, 2011, 02:57 AM
Number of posts: 117,546

About TexasTowelie

Retired/disabled middle-aged white guy who believes in justice and equality for all. Math and computer analyst with additional 21st century jack-of-all-trades skills. I'm a stud, not a dud!
Latest Discussions»TexasTowelie's Journal