Nearly 15 percent of the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles sent to Ukraine by the Biden administration were destroyed in a span of three days.
This is according to the investigative journalism group Oryx, which has been using open-source data to track materiel losses by both Russia and Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict.
According to Oryx, 16 of the approximately 109 Bradley IFVs the U.S. sent to Ukraine have been lost. Five of these have been totally destroyed, while another 11 have either been abandoned or damaged to the point of being unusable.
Moving on tracks rather than wheels, Bradley IFVs are intended to provide armies with more firepower on the battlefield while also allowing for the transportation of up to 10 troops at a time.
Bradleys can also come equipped with BGM-71 TOW anti-armor missiles, which have been described as “tank killers” that Ukrainian troops had hoped to use against enemy armor as a part of “mechanized combined arms” teams.
Military analysts claim that Bradleys are much stronger than the counterpart IFVs in use in the Russian Armed Forces, notably the BMP-1 and BMP-2, and the destruction of a Bradley is less likely to result in the loss of the troops being transported within its hold.
The footage Oryx used to reach its number of 16 Bradleys destroyed or otherwise abandoned appears to date from between Friday to Sunday, June 9 to 11, which is consistent with assessments made by other experts regarding the start of Ukraine’s armored push into territory occupied by Russia.
If confirmed by other analysts, the losses would amount to nearly 15 percent of the Bradleys the U.S. has committed to Ukraine, many of which have been in use on the battlefield since April.
Other reports also said that Ukrainian forces have already lost around half of its specially adapted German-made Leopard 2R mine-clearing vehicles donated by Finland. These were intended to pave the way through Russian minefields and help make a breach that other military vehicles can then move through.
“[Ukraine is] burning through high-tech military gear at a rate never intended,” warned military and strategic studies analyst Allan Orr. “[Western equipment] can’t replenish at this rate – they simply can’t be made fast enough.”
Retired U.S. Army Gen. James Marks suggested that Ukraine may not know how to use the Bradleys.
“A single piece of equipment like the Bradleys is wonderful, but it needs to be used in conjunction with all those other enablers,” he said.
US to keep supplying Ukraine with Bradley IFVs, other equipment in latest military aid package
Kyiv is still calling on its Western allies for more military aid in its fight against Russia – and countries like the U.S. are only too happy to oblige. (Related: National security experts call for peace and end of arms shipments to Ukraine.)
Just as Ukraine announced the beginning of its counteroffensive, the U.S. announced a new $325 million military aid package that will include 15 more Bradley IFVs from America’s current stock of about 4,000.
The package will also include 10 Stryker armored personnel carriers, secure communications equipment, additional ammunition for Ukrainian National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, artillery rounds for 155 mm Howitzers, additional handheld Stinger anti-aircraft and Javelin anti-tank weapons munitions as well as over 22 million rounds of ammunition for small arms.
This latest package is the 40th such aid package President Joe Biden is rushing to send to Ukraine using the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows him to transfer military equipment and services from U.S. stockpiles without congressional approval during so-called emergencies.
Following the completion of this military aid package, a spokesperson from the Department of State confirmed that this means the U.S. would have already provided approximately $40 billion in taxpayer-funded military aid to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s special military operation in late February 2022.
“The United States continues to stand with the people of Ukraine, whose enduring courage and solidarity inspires the world,” said Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement.
“Russia started this unprovoked war against Ukraine. Russia could end it at any time by withdrawing its forces from Ukraine and stopping its brutal attacks against Ukraine’s cities and people,” Blinken added. “Until Russia does so, the United States and our allies and partners will stand united with Ukraine, for as long as it takes.”
Learn more about Ukraine’s conflict with Russia at WWIII.news.
Watch this clip of a Ukrainian Bradley IFV being destroyed by a Russian Ka-52 helicopter from a range of over 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).
This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com.
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More related stories:
- Ukraine launches biggest attack in months as much-hyped counteroffensive begins.
- Russia repels attacks on territory orchestrated by what it calls “Ukrainian terrorist formations.”
- Global military spending hits record-high $2.24 trillion amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine, heightened tension in Taiwan.
- US, NATO using discredited domino theory to justify sending even more taxpayer-funded arms shipments to Ukraine.
- US military stockpiles at “dangerously low levels” not seen in decades due to military aid shipments to Ukraine.
Sources include:
- TheNationalPulse.com
- Newsweek.com
- BusinessInsider.com
- Reuters.com
- APNews.com
- Axios.com
- Brighteon.com
- NATURAL NEWS
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
