Recently, many believed a Russian vehicle known as the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Carrier (ICBM) was carrying a powerful live “Topol intercontinental ballistic missile.” The missile can travel at 16,400 mph and measures 74.5 feet long. [i]
The ICBM was recently involved in a collision with another small-sized vehicle. Though most had feared the ICBM was carrying a live missile, the near-head-on collision left the sedan totaled, with no resulting explosion or damage to the ICBM. [ii]
The explanation for Russia carrying the “live missile” was revealed to be that the vehicle was a training vehicle. Empty missile shells are used for training purposes. The empty shells are filled with water or sand to mimic how heavy an actual missile is. This provides training for drivers learning to maneuver heavy loads. [iii]
This “stunt” by Russia appears to be similar to their claims of destroying U.S.-provided HIMARS in previous weeks. This most recent blunder occurs alongside reports from a captured Russian officer, Major Gruzev, claiming that “both soldiers and officers refused to fight and fled their positions.” This is alleged to have occurred near Kherson. Major Gruzev states he is serving in a military unit from Abkhazia. [iv]
The major also claimed, “nobody wants to be here. Everyone wants to go home. All the soldiers from the first and second battalion ran away.” The claims by Major Gruzev contradict what has been reported as no official Russian soldier desertions. [iv]
Following his capture, Major Gruzev made the following plea to his Russian counterparts,
I ask Russian citizens to help people like me to return home. I ask them to petition Puin to bring back Russian soldiers from ukraine as quickly as possible.”
The Major’s statements support the belief that other soldiers may finally share his desire to end the war. It is proposed that Ukraine’s recapture of the city of Kherson would demonstrate a significant turning point in the conflict. Reports stated it would be “a major coup for Ukraine’s commanders.” [v]
The potential for a coup is supported by events like the recent one in which Ukrainian forces blew up a Russian T-90 tank, shown in the footage below. The Ukrainian Armed Forces used a Javelin missile in Kharkiv Oblast to destroy the tank. Such successes may indicate a potential for success in regaining control of Kherson. [vi]
References
[i] James Lee, Embarrassment for Putin as ‘doomsday’ ICBM carrier ploughs into vehicle in horror crash,(sic) (Aug. 8, 2022)
[ii] Id.
[iii] Id.
[iv] John Varga, ‘No one’s left’ Russian officer tells of mass troop desertions with morale in tatters, (Aug 8, 2022)
[v] Id.
[vi] The Sun, Moment Ukrainian Armed Forces obliterate Russian tank in Kharkiv Oblast with Javelin missile, (Aug. 8, 2022)
Should it be illegal for 11-year-olds to ride e-bikes? After recent tragic incidents with youth, one new bill says yes
California's leaders have newly proposed a new bill to protect riders. Introduced by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner, the bill is called AB 530, and there is a lot of discussion about how the e-bike bill will work. This follows the tragic passing of a 15-year-old riding an e-bike struck by a van in Encinitas this past…
Dr. Catherine Forest Shares Her Experience Involving Her Husband's Request for Medical Aid
Dr. Catherine Forest, a proponent of the right to die, has assisted numerous terminally ill patients with ending their lives by prescribing aid-in-dying medication. She strongly supports the End of Life Option Act that went into effect in 2016. This law allows "an adult diagnosed with a terminal disease, who meets certain qualifications, to request…
The new virtual roundtable on ending prison slavery in California now continues a fight for justice
On December 15, 2023, UC Riverside will host a virtual roundtable to discuss the campaign to remove the "exception clause" from the California Constitution, which affects practices within prison systems. This clause allows using "involuntary servitude" as a punishment for crime. Concerns about its impact on human rights, justice, and rehabilitation have been raised. The roundtable will…
The new Evil Dead Rise movie now has mixed reviews
A Love-it-or-hate-it horror flick that's got everyone talking The latest horror flick, Evil Dead Rise, has received numerous mixed reviews. After a long wait, the highly anticipated horror film finally hit theaters. Some viewers sing its praises, while others find it disappointing on many levels. After all the hype about how frightening it was, some […]
It has been twelve years since the tragic passing of Elizabeth Taylor in Los Angeles
She passed early on March 23, 2011, in Los Angeles As the anniversary of her death nears, many have been asking, "Who is Elizabeth Taylor?" 'Elizabeth Taylor eyes' and 'Elizabeth Taylor movies' are still chart-topping Google search terms. Elizabeth Taylor was an iconic actress whose career spanned decades. She starred in some of the […]
