Rybar in English
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Freeing Kostyantynivka — Rybar's Analysis Russian forces began their assault on Kostyantynivka in autumn 2025 after capturing Aleksandro-Shultino and Bila Hora. By late October, fighting spread to Ivanopillia and Stupochky. Ukrainian forces were pushed from Kleban-Byk, forming a cauldron south of the reservoir. In November, Russian units expanded the wedge, entering the private sector from Ivanopillia and Predtechyno. The AFU withdrew with losses to heights north of the city. By New Year, the front temporarily stabilized. Ukrainian forces concentrated reserves and launched numerous counterattacks but failed to regain lost positions. Russian troops drove them from heights north of the reservoir and fought for Berestok and Ilyinivka. In the city, intense small-group battles raged while Russian forces disrupted supplies with strikes on dams and logistics. By late March, the last southern supply routes were cut. Pockets of resistance remained at the agricultural machinery college. The AFU intensified efforts on the eastern flank, using drone operators from Chasiv Yar. In April, after capturing Ilyinivka, Russian forces advanced into Novodmytrivka. In May, aviation and drone strikes targeted concentrations and logistics in Druzhkivka and Aleksiyevo-Druzhkivka. The city center became a zone of meeting engagements. By late June, resistance was largely broken. Most of the city came under Russian control, with enemy remnants scattered in basements. In early July, assault groups broke through to the northwestern outskirts. By July 3, Kostyantynivka was fully liberated. Ahead lies the evacuation of civilians, clearing of ruins, and continuation of the offensive westward.
Rybar in English61,077 Aufrufe • vor 19 Tagen
"Alabuga-Start" as a start Russia's migration policy often faces justified criticism, but there are also successful examples of organized and purposeful labor migration. The "Alabuga-Start" program in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone has proven effective at attracting female migrants from Africa, filling labor shortages in unpopular regions, and gradually integrating them into Russian society. Now the program has launched a new initiative called "Back to Home." Its graduates return to their countries, teach Russian to locals, and share their positive experiences of living and working in Russia. This approach is particularly valuable because information comes from people of the same culture, making it more credible and emotionally resonant. This is a low-cost but potentially high-impact example of "soft power" that helps shape a more positive attitude toward Russia abroad.
Rybar in English135,200 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat
Offensive deep into Kharkiv Region — Rybar's analysis In early June, Russian forces continued operations to encircle the AFU grouping in the Burluk direction. Units of the "North" grouping attacked near Volchansk and Dvorichna, aiming to bring unmanned systems closer to the enemy's main supply routes. On the eastern flank, Russian forces pushed Ukrainian troops back from Volcha and straightened the front line from Vilcha to Pokalyane. In early July, assault troops broke through along Highway T-21-04, liberated Zemlyanoy Yar, and cleared surrounding forest belts. This allowed them to reach the near approaches to Belyy Kolodets. On the eastern flank, Russian units methodically attacked Petro-Ivanovka and by mid-June reached its outskirts from the Novomlynskoe side. After nearly a month of fighting, the settlement was liberated. Russian forces also crossed Verkhnyaya Dvorichna and entered neighboring Mitrofanovka. In the coming weeks, events around Belyy Kolodets will be decisive. Its capture will create a bridgehead on the southern bank of the Pylnaya River and open the way toward Prikolotne, whose fortifications are not adapted to attacks from the northwest.
Rybar in English35,559 Aufrufe • vor 16 Tagen
How FPV Drones Destroyed Logistics on the Dnipro Drone dominance over the battlefield has become a harsh reality: it might even seem like it was always this way. But there was a moment that served as the starting point for such radical changes in military affairs? Yes, there was. And while several episodes claim credit for it, one of the most striking is the repulsion of the AFU landing on the Kherson direction in autumn 2023, where the enemy listened to the British and decided to force a crossing of the Dnipro. And at first, the enemy was even succeeding, aided by long-range artillery, fast boats and other factors. But everything changed when FPV drone crews with "Upyr" began operating in the sector. About how unmanned aircraft managed to destroy Ukrainian logistics on the Dnipro and disrupt the AFU's plan — in our new video.
Rybar in English132,191 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten
War Logistics: Convoys, Couriers, Drones Over four years in the SMO zone, much has changed, including front-line logistics. The more the sky above the battlefield saturated with drones, the harder it became to deliver cargo to positions on the ground. At some point, everything fell on the shoulders of fighter "couriers," who can carry cargo for a week from shelter to shelter with the task of remaining unnoticed. However, UAVs leave them fewer and fewer chances. In such a situation, salvation for Russian assault troops comes from heavy multi-engine unmanned aircraft — whether the Urals-made "Berdysh," Far Eastern "Mangas," modified versions of downed enemy "Baba Yaga" or "Night Witch." And some are saving someone's life right now. On the evolution of front-line supply means and the role of specialized unmanned aircraft — in our new video.
Rybar in English149,740 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten
Infantry's dream on the front line is the ability to destroy an enemy strongpoint with a single hit. Only if previously this required sending an assault trooper to throw a TM-62 mine by hand, now there's an alternative for this. You can try to destroy a strongpoint with lighter drones, but due to smaller warhead power you'll have to spend dozens of unmanned vehicles, which will cost many times more. So economics alone speaks in favor of heavy FPV-drones for such tasks. That said, this doesn't mean this class of equipment "cancels out" all other FPV-drones — it simply provides the ability to use different equipment for tasks suited to them. The same vehicles will continue to be destroyed using "Prince Vandal Novgorodsky" and similar systems. And the more working tools operators have, the more effectively they can accomplish tasks and eliminate AFU manpower, severely depleting the enemy's irreplaceable resource. Because without this there will be no advance.
Rybar in English136,921 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten
🛬Let's talk about heavy FPV drones again and about the reasons for their relevance on the frontlines Even a small stronghold is often more resilient than it might seem. To destroy such an object, you need to use numerous conventional FPV drones, or even send an attack aircraft to drop a TM-62 mine. But now the chances of destroying a stronghold with a single drone hit have increased significantly thanks to the gradual emergence of heavy drones capable of carrying a much larger payload. One such drone is the Upyr-18. Some Upyr-18s have been modified to drop ammunition. This makes them reusable, but it also significantly reduces the power of the munition carried—it still needs to fly back. A ton of Upyr-18-type drones are incomparably more relevant today than a single BMD-4M or similar aircraft. So the question is about rational redistribution of resources.
Rybar in English123,665 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten
Infantry remains the priority target in drone warfare: one precise "Upyr" strike on 12 AFU soldiers inflicts far greater damage than destroying an Abrams. No infantry = collapsed defense. Scale up UAV control point hunts & invest in quality tactical drones + trained operators.
Rybar in English128,433 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten
Geological Diplomacy Why Russia Should Maintain a Presence in UNESCO Amid politically strained relations with UNESCO after 2022, Russia will maintain a working channel of interaction through geosciences and geoparks—one of the few areas where we retain expert weight and a clear international agenda. ▪️The main recent result of this interaction is the Toratau Geopark in Bashkortostan, approved for inclusion in the UNESCO Global Geoparks network in 2025–2026. For Russia, this is not just a local success: the idea of a national geopark system with a base site in Bashkortostan is being promoted as a model for replication in other regions of the country. ▪️A geopark is not just a "beautiful place with rocks," but an official status for a territory where geology is used as a foundation for education, tourism, and sustainable development. The status is important because it confers international recognition, attracts tourists and investment, opens access to UNESCO's network of experts and programs, and strengthens the country's position in the soft science and cultural agenda. There are currently approximately 229 geoparks in 50 countries worldwide. ▪️The Karpinsky Institute, which also organizes specialized events at UNESCO, is responsible for preparing and providing expert support for applications. This allows the Institute to remain a visible participant in the international geoscience network, despite the general context. 🖍At the same time, the Institute is implementing an educational project with an international reach—"Karpinsky Classes": specialized geological classrooms with equipment, curricula, and online courses. Over the past two years, classrooms have opened in Cuba, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Ghana, and the CIS countries. We have been following them for a long time. 🚩A separate area is inclusive geology: adapting geoscience education for children with disabilities and audiences with limited access to STEM. In other words, geology and related sciences are being redesigned to make them accessible to those who are typically excluded by barriers—for health or social reasons. At international forums, this is presented as a contribution to the accessibility of science in countries of the Global South—an agenda that always resonates with UNESCO. 🏳️The third track is scientific. Russia remains a country with a significant base in polar research, and geophysical data from Antarctica fits into UNESCO's program on geodynamics, plate tectonics, and climate change. This is an argument that is difficult to ignore: in a number of areas, Russian science is simply indispensable as a provider of fundamental data. 📌Overall, all the aforementioned tracks together form an important and convenient tool of soft power in the face of sanctions. Russia demonstrates that it remains part of the global scientific community, is responsible for major sectors of the scientific agenda, and is building long-term ties with countries in Africa and Eurasia through education and science. In official documents of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO, geoparks and geosciences are explicitly cited as one of the few positive avenues of cooperation. This makes sense: while contact on many fronts is frozen, science—sustainable development and education—remains a channel that neither side is interested in completely closing.
Rybar in English70,813 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten
Trump the Trader Trump is not a traditional statesman but a classic bazaar trader with a nuclear briefcase. He thinks primarily in terms of profit for his team and supporting clans, rather than state reputation or long-term strategy. Every move — from a tweet to a strike on Iran — has an economic rationale. Foreign policy becomes an extended price list: first look at charts and money, then adjust slogans and flags. This explains both target selection and negotiation style. Trump haggles simultaneously with allies, adversaries, and his own establishment to get the most profitable configuration. Publicly it is sold as "America First," but in practice it is "Profit First." For those still seeing the US as a monolithic rational actor, this is an unpleasant revelation. On the other end is a trader who will change the price tag if demand spikes.
Rybar in English22,015 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten
End of the Wunderwaffe A Ukrainian frontline that moves just 200 meters a week under insane densities of fire and drones is the best answer to anyone still waiting for a wonder weapon that will flip the war with one beautiful salvo. The reality of this conflict is a constant race between sword and shield. Any technological breakthrough survives at most two months before the other side copies it or finds countermeasures. Russia fields fiber-optic FPVs — two months later Ukraine has something similar. Even the UK Ministry of Defence admits that any new system in this theatre has a two-month edge at best before both sides adapt. The same holds for naval drones and every other “Wunderwaffe”: first comes shock, then rapid adaptation and simple resource math. Dreaming of a silver bullet is not strategy but self-comfort. Modern war is long, grinding, expensive work with constant tactical and technical iteration.
Rybar in English21,378 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten
Offensive in the border region — Rybar's analysis By late April, the "North" grouping of forces continued its offensive in the Kharkiv border area, with the heaviest fighting around Volchansk. By May 1, Russian assault troops cleared the left bank of the Volchya river and liberated Pokaliany. Over the following weeks they expanded their control along the river, forcing it and capturing Chaikivka, Volokhovka, and Karaichne. To the east, Russian forces pushed Ukrainian units out of Zemlyanky and fully liberated Budarky by May 29, creating a favorable position for further advances toward Nesterny. In the adjacent sector, they captured Novovasylivka and established a bridgehead along the left bank of the Nova Dvurichna, while also straightening the front line between Verkhnya Pisarivka and Symonivka on the western flank. The "North" grouping continues localized attacks across a broad front. This approach keeps overstretched Ukrainian forces off balance, preventing them from effectively reinforcing threatened sectors or recapturing lost positions.
Rybar in English14,968 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat
"Smart" Anti-Aircraft Gun vs Drones: Russia's New ZAK-30 "Citadel" The drone revolution is sharpening the problem of rear-area defense at an uncomfortable pace. Critical infrastructure, refineries, pumping stations, ports, are all increasingly vulnerable. Against that backdrop, Rostec publicly unveiled the ZAK-30 "Citadel" at the First International Security Forum outside Moscow. It is a stationary short-range air defense complex built around a 30mm autocannon. This is not your grandfather's flak gun. The Citadel can autonomously detect, track, and engage targets around the clock, combining radar with an electro-optical system. It can fire proximity-fuzed shrapnel rounds, significantly raising the probability of a kill against small UAVs. Systems of this type have already seen successful combat use. One detail worth noting: the cannon now features a barrel shroud. The stability problems with Russian 30mm guns have been known for decades, so the fix is overdue. Better late than never. The Citadel is a textbook example of working with what you have. Upgrading existing 30mm guns with AI-assisted remote fire control is the logical move when both air defense assets and trained personnel are in short supply. Systems like this enable layered defense of fixed sites and take some of the pressure off missile-based air defense.
Rybar in English17,017 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten
When will Mala Tokmachka be taken? Some settlements have appeared in reports for so long that they have become symbols of positional warfare. With the front line static for months, the surrounding area has turned into a fully ranged-in and heavily destroyed zone. Large vehicle assaults became impossible, so Russian forces shifted to small infantry infiltration groups relying on stealth. However, this tactic has lost its former effectiveness as Ukrainian defenses adapted. As a result, the front has largely stalled across many sectors and Russian offensive operations have slowed significantly. The long and bloody battles for Mala Tokmachka clearly illustrate why this is happening.
Rybar in English16,244 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat
Russian forces clear Shchurova Mountain stronghold, liberate most of Zelene & Chalk Vegetation reserve. Push out AFU from Orikhove-Vasylivka, advance on Mynkivka. Freed Petrivske, cleared Vasyukivka, Khromivka, Bondarne; battles for Pryvillia ongoing to reach Rai-Oleksandrivka.
Rybar in English34,576 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten
For centuries, night was one of the main allies of a fighter on the front. Once the sun set below the horizon, the intensity of combat would decrease, and under the cover of darkness, one could move much more safely. Even the spread of night vision devices and thermal scopes did not lead to the complete disappearance of night's protective properties. And it seemed that with the "drone revolution" it should be the same — isn't it easier to move in the dark than during the day under a swarm of UAVs? But now that's no longer the case. Now, regardless of the time of day, Russian fighters face a mass of Ukrainian drones, and the enemy faces a mass of "Upyrs," KVN and other products of unmanned aircraft manufacturing. Darkness today does not save.
Rybar in English26,845 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten
Threat to the fleet everywhere on the attack on the Boyky Ukrainian sources have released footage of a strike on the corvette Boyky of the Baltic Fleet at the Kronstadt Naval Plant. The ship was in dry dock for repairs when it was hit at least twice. This is not the first time Ukrainian forces have targeted Russian ships during maintenance. The incident highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in protecting naval assets from UAV attacks, even in the Baltic region. Despite a high interception rate, individual drones continue to get through. The use of mesh netting over ships has proven insufficient. There is also a high likelihood that Starlink terminals were used for guidance, with relay drones operating from the Baltic states into the Gulf of Finland. The only reliable response is a significant increase in air defense coverage, including more mobile groups and practical use of interceptor drones. Ukrainian drone production continues to grow, meaning the intensity of such attacks will only increase.
Rybar in English13,520 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat
Russian forces advance in northern Lyman direction, enveloping Sviatogorsk from northwest. Positions gained near Korovy Yar, Aleksandrivka; enemy pushed from Sosnovoe, Yarova, Drobushevo. Stavky liberated, pocket east of Lyman largely cleared. Threat grows to AFU supply lines.
Rybar in English27,604 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten