Ukrainian Air Defenses Dwindling, West Scours World for Arms on Eve of “Spring Offensive“

Update on Russian military operations in Ukraine for April 12, 2023: - Russian forces continue taking territory around the fortified cities of Avdeevka and Bakhmut; - Russian forces now control much of the west bank of the Bakhmutka River; - A Ukrainian missile fired deep into Crimea (and intercepted by Russian air defenses) may have been a Ukrainian Grom-2, comparable to the Iskander missile with a range of 500km; - Despite the capabilities of the Grom-2 and potential NATO assistance to produce them (most likely in Poland) it is unlikely these missiles will appear in numbers large enough to overwhelm Russian air defenses; - NYT admits Ukrainian air defenses are deteriorating, allowing Russia to more freely use its military aviation; - While Western analysts claim this development may not translate into Russian success, arriving at this juncture is already very much a Russian success; Follow the Duran: Duran: @TheDuran Alex Christoforou: @AlexChristoforou Alexander Mercouris: @AlexMercouris References: Al Arabiya News - Missile fired from Ukraine shot down over Russian-controlled Crimea (April 8, 2023): Alexander Mercouris - Russia Holds 90% Bakhmut, Sweden Refutes 6 Guys in Boat NS Claim, Macron Accused of Betraying US: Army Recognition - Ukraine unveils new Grom-2 short-range ballistic missile (2018): Reuters - Ukraine, Poland to produce Soviet-era tank shells together (April 6, 2023): Foreign Policy - Ukraine Needs Long-Range Firepower for Victory (January 2023): Telegraph - Russia shoots down Ukrainian missile over Crimea (April 8, 2023): NYT - Leaked Documents Suggest Ukrainian Air Defense Is in Peril if Not Reinforced (April 9, 2023): Reuters - South Korea to lend 500,000 rounds of artillery shells to US -report (April 12, 2023): Where to Find My Work: Website: Telegram: Twitter: Odysee (YouTube alternative): @LandDestroyer:8 Rumble (YouTube alternative): Weibo: ไบรอัน แฟนคลับ (Facebook): Line Group: Gab: VK (Facebook alternative): How to Support my Work (and thank you!): Buy Me A Coffee: Patreon: PromptPay: 0851547235 Cryptocurrency Donations: Ethereum (ETH): 0xee6ed93c3adc474450011e9af22939a0b9b312c7 BitCoin (BTC): 1AfGnbmHxA6cy9YKUSxysXvpJPyecpBKrr Monero (XMR): 845TCXx3pchSBXuDL7FHG679gbWD2wkHS6MJxuq7jFVsVFj7T6xsry747uhhGZUdkaRXbbrMfo5c8RnGfzGZ13KxQUdHVLR