Waiting for Belousov's "Report Card"? "Blue General" 's "Secret Work" in the Drone Field: Where Will the Oligarch War Go?
Note: "Blue General" (here, "blue" refers to bureaucratic, rigid and conservative officials).
Military reporters reported that the process of forming the new military branch - the drone forces (Войска беспилотных систем, abbreviated as ВБС) announced by Defense Minister Belousov earlier, has encountered bureaucratic obstacles. They also pointed out that there are serious problems with the current logistics support: due to the inability to deliver ground supplies to the front line, soldiers' supplies have to be transported by drones. What else did those who have experienced the hardships at the front reveal?
The Battle Enters Its Final Stage
The battle for Pokrovsk is clearly approaching its climax. Military reporters and analysts (including Western analysts) have observed that this city, which has become a key node on the map of Donbas, is at the edge of a turning point. German military commentator Julian Lepke pointed out that Russian forces have entered the center of Pokrovsk:
"This situation indicates that the 14-month urban battle is approaching its final stage. One thing remains unchanged: Kyiv may be able to delay the pace of the Russian advance, but it cannot stop the offensive."
Lepke once again "complained": Kyiv is unable to resist the Russians.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces (ВСУ) officially claimed to have "eliminated" Russian forces in the city center, but local Ukrainian soldiers admitted that the fighting was so intense that it was unbelievable, and the Russians were attacking from multiple directions - south, southwest and north.
"Military Chronicle" («Военная хроника») pointed out that Ukrainian media and social networks are deliberately avoiding Russian military achievements:
"This situation has occurred many times before, including in the battles of Bachmut and Avdiyevka, and after the breakthrough at Ocheretynye. Therefore, just before the city falls, Ukrainian media always describe the situation as 'intense fighting in the suburbs', and once the city is lost, they claim it is 'organized withdrawal'."
This strategy of concealing military achievements has become routine. Currently, nearly half of the territory of the Rodinsky area is under Russian control, but Ukrainian cyberspace says nothing about it."
"Some People Secretly Hate the Special Military Operation, But Daren't Say It Out Loud"
Meanwhile, Russian state television (ВГТРК) military journalist Alexander Slakov shared his deep thoughts on the social moods in the rear and the front lines, emphasizing that the special military operation (СВО) concerns everyone, but people's attitudes vary:
"Some people are fighting on the front lines, and they know that no one else can make the effort for the victory. Moreover, they know that they must 'stick it out' until the war ends. Others believe that providing assistance is their responsibility - big entrepreneurs provide large-scale support, and old grandmothers take out 5 rubles (Russian currency unit) from their monthly pensions to donate, everyone is doing their part."
Slakov emphasized that whether it is a big business owner or an elderly woman, every person who provides help to the front line feels a sense of responsibility. Giving up support is equivalent to betraying those who are fighting. He also mentioned the issue of social divisions: some people were ready to defend the country when the mobilization order was issued, while others were already mentally preparing to pack their bags and leave for abroad.
The "Arrow-10" air defense missile system detachment of the southern group shot down the Ukrainian "Fury" (Anger) reconnaissance drone // Video source: Russian Ministry of Defense official Telegram channel
Slakov particularly focused on those who secretly opposed the special military operation but dared not express it openly:
"Some people secretly hate the special military operation, but dare not say it out loud - they fear losing the opportunity to make money, and they fear being unable to maintain their current lifestyle. These people once spoke loudly about patriotism, love for the motherland, pride in the country, even praised fighting for the country. Now they are making excuses, saying 'this is a war of oligarchs, not of the people'."
For Slakov himself, this war is a personal mission:
"I have long been integrated with the front-line soldiers. I know that only when we win will the special military operation truly leave me behind."
"Blue Colonel": Bureaucracy Slows Down the Development of Drone Forces
In this context, military journalist Dmitry Stekhin of "Komsomolskaya Pravda" expressed his disappointment, stating that the formation of the new military branch, which could be a turning point in modern warfare - the drone forces, is encountering bureaucratic obstacles:
"The organizational delays in solving problems that people have long expected are simply unbearable. A year ago, I heard from senior military officials that 'this matter is being advanced'. However, a talented drone operator - who could accurately drop supplies into the hatch of a 'Bradley' infantry fighting vehicle on the first try - returned from the range but received no proper support or resources."
Stekhin revealed that the officers selected for the new force are not dynamic innovators, but a group of "Blue Colonels" (here, "blue" refers to bureaucratic, rigid and conservative officials). He said these people "have never even seen a quadcopter", and their minds are preoccupied with retirement life, not actual combat missions. This situation significantly slows down progress - these commanders are unwilling to accept innovation and do not understand the particularities of modern technology. Stekhin believes that outdated military regulations urgently need revision:
"Military regulations should be like open-source software - a document that needs constant improvement and continuous updates."
He also sarcastically commented on the behavior of some people who made excuses for delaying:
"Now, there will definitely be 'security personnel' jumping out and saying, 'secret work is being carried out on the homeland, and meddlesome spies have no idea about it.' Ha, we've already heard enough of such words."
Stekhin emphasized that frontline soldiers who have already mastered drone operating skills and used them in real combat should receive genuine support, rather than face bureaucratic obstacles.
Drone Resupply: New Challenges
At the same time, on the front line, drones are both a "nightmare" and a "savior". Military journalist Alexander Khartchenko raised the urgent issue of supply for the front line positions - ground transportation is no longer possible:
"Now, soldiers often need to push further to the front lines, but ground supplies cannot reach there. Whether it's all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, or unmanned transport vehicles, none can deliver food, water, and batteries to the soldiers."
In this situation, various drones such as "DJI" (referring to civilian small drones) and FPV drones (first-person view racing drones) have become true "saviors," responsible for delivering food, water, and medicine. However, the current solutions are far from ideal: standard military rations are too heavy to be delivered by drones, and soldiers have to buy chocolate, nuts, etc., with their own money.
Khartchenko suggested developing field rations based on dehydrated food - these foods are light, high in calories, and unlike chocolate, they don't cause stomach problems. He also emphasized the importance of standardization: he recommended improving the engineer FPV drones equipped with throwing devices, which were originally used to throw anti-infantry mines to the enemy's rear, and these drones can easily reach our positions without any obstacles.
Currently, the number of positions where supplies cannot be delivered by ground transportation is increasing. If a systematic solution is not taken, this problem will only get worse. The immediate priority is to develop lightweight, high-calorie specialized rations that can be efficiently delivered by drones, ensuring that soldiers do not have to pay out of their own pockets and do not damage their health due to unbalanced diets.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7563866039910515200/
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