Putin's air defenses destroy U.S.-made HIMARS; Russia kills 145 Ukrainian troops in Donetsk
http://youtu.be/g8JKokCz8l0

Do you want to know why they haven't yet surrounded Bakhmut?
- They've deliberately only surrounded the city on 3 sides so that Ukraine will desperately keep sending in more defenders for Russia to destroy.

"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake."
- The Russians are capitalising on this opportunity to destroy the Ukrainian military right there in Bakhmut.

Hi AC,

If the Russian army is so powerful then why doesn't it just take Ukraine? If Russia has so many accurate weapons then why not wipe out the Ukrainian military before it can even mount a counteroffensive? What purpose does it serve to keep the conflict going for so long if Russia could end it so easily? And why not use a few tactical nukes, or even chemical weapons? Maybe the Russian commanders could get some advice from the television presenters? Scream "Nuclear apocalypse!" and shower your enemy with meat waves. So much for big stick ideology in Russia.

Russia's central bank adds 1 mln oz of gold since start of Ukraine war
http://www.reuters.com/article/russia-cenbank-reserves-idAFL1N35V1W8

"In dollar-terms, the bank’s gold holdings were up 2.5% over the 13-month period, according to the bank’s calculations. Gold accounted for 23.6% of the bank’s $574.2 billion total reserves."

AC,

The financial statistic you should know is that according to the Russian central bank, the deficit for the first 10 weeks of 2023 has already reached the budget level for the entire year. Also, $300bn of Russia's $574bn reserves are frozen and the available $274bn at this rate won't last into 2024..

The Russian statistics are astounding. They have managed to destroy twice as many aircraft as Ukraine has ever possessed and they have destroyed 80 of the 20 HIMARS systems that the US supplied and are able to shoot down HIMARS missiles. However, Ukrainian Jets are still flying and HIMARS missiles are still destroying Russian logistics.

In Bahkmut, Ukrainian forces are killing Russians and then retreating and doing the same again. Anyone with the vaguest knowledge of tactics knows that this is far more costly for the attackers than the defenders. Wagner has been nearly wiped out, and the estimate is that Russia is losing 5 men for every man that Ukraine loses.

Bahkmut might be killing lots of Ukrainians but it is inflicting huge losses in men and machinery on the Russians who have gained virtually no territory in their entire offensive. Ukraine's losses are being replaced by the western alliance while Russia's losses are being replaced with antiques.

"The financial statistic you should know is that according to the Russian central bank, the deficit for the first 10 weeks of 2023 has already reached the budget level for the entire year. Also, $300bn of Russia's $574bn reserves are frozen and the available $274bn at this rate won't last into 2024.."
They never actually got that 300 bln, they 'can't find it'.
Apparently all they can account for was either 17 or 37 bln.

"The Russian statistics are astounding. They have managed to destroy twice as many aircraft as Ukraine has ever possessed and they have destroyed 80 of the 20 HIMARS systems that the US supplied and are able to shoot down HIMARS missiles."
- Well I'm just sharing what I'm told.
If you think the US told the truth about what it send then more fool you, and yes Pansir S1 has been upgraded to shoot down HIMARS missiles, Russia is even jamming US JDAM missiles as well.

"In Bahkmut, Ukrainian forces are killing Russians and then retreating and doing the same again."
- If you say so, if that's what you believe then more fool you.
I heard reports and saw footage that Russia is dropping FAB1500 (1 and a half tonne) bombs on west Bakhmut, in the last 24 hours.

Look at the reports on this feed territory, bombs.
http://twitter.com/squatsons
- I told you, 2 weeks.

"Anyone with the vaguest knowledge of tactics knows that this is far more costly for the attackers than the defenders."
- Not when you're outnumbered by artillery at a ratio of 8 to 1.
Especially TOS 1A thermobaric missiles and if you have air superiority or Ukraine runs out of shells.

"Bahkmut might be killing lots of Ukrainians but it is inflicting huge losses in men and machinery on the Russians who have gained virtually no territory in their entire offensive."

Keep dreaming, Ukraine is running out of troops.
When they run out, Russia will take everything.

Ukraine is Running Out of Soldiers
http://youtu.be/lcN5K0KhOSA

Military briefing: Ukraine’s ‘high-risk’ bid to breach Russia’s fortified frontline
http://www.ft.com/content/01a819c0-82f5-4eb3-b012-9dc97d93cde6

AC,

The $300bn frozen assets were in the same article that you quoted and clearly, you only believe what you want to.

"Western countries froze about $300 billion - almost half of Russia’s reserves at the time - that were held in their jurisdictions at the start of the conflict in a move which few in Moscow predicted the West would make."

http://www.reuters.com/article/russia-cenbank-reserves-idAFL1N35V1W8

You said "Well I'm just sharing what I'm told" Well I can sell you a bridge! That should be the first indication that the people you are listening to are lying.