?? RFK Jr. Suspends Campaign, Endorses #Trump: theatlasnews.co @AtlasNewsTelegram

Robert F. #Kennedy Jr. said in a Pennsylvania court filing that he will suspend his Presidential campaign and endorse former #UnitedStates President Donald Trump.

Kennedy initially ran as a Democrat, but switched his affiliation to Independent in October.

The former candidate is expected to give a speech soon regarding his decision. Via theatlasnews.co

Photo: AP/DM

?? ?? Iskander Strike Claims Second Ever HIMARS Destruction: theatlasnews.co

#Russian state media last week released footage showing the destruction of a US-supplied, #Ukrainian-operated M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), allegedly by an Iskander strike near the Russian border in #Sumy Oblast. This strike, however, would only mark the second-ever visually confirmed HIMARS destruction since they began service in Ukraine over two years ago. @AtlasNewsTelegram

When looking at the first HIMARS loss, which occurred back in March, there is much to compare. Footage released by Russian military sources, which was also taken by an overhead drone, tracks a HIMARS before it is eventually struck by an Iskander missile. In both instances, Russian drones were able to operate freely over Ukrainian-controlled territory and direct an Iskander missile strike on the launchers.

To date, we have seen only four visually confirmed losses out of the 39 HIMARS supplied by the US. Two have been destroyed, as seen in the footage above. The other two were seen being unloaded at Harrisburg International Airport in Pennsylvania with battle damage, likely to be repaired.

Read more analysis and details in the full article: https://theatlasnews.co/latest/2024/08/16/iskander-strike-claims-second-ever-himars-destruction/

?? Myanmar Air Force Helicopter Crash Indicates Wider Maintenance Issues – Atlas News

On August 2nd, a #Myanmar Air Force (MAF) Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin medium utility helicopter crashed near Hmawbit Air Base, located in Hmawbit Township, Yangon Region. The MAF released a statement that said the helicopter crashed because of adverse weather. The incident is the third time that the MAF lost a Eurocopter helicopter and senior military officers because of non-combat related accidents.

Read more in the full article at: https://theatlasnews.co/latest/2024/08/17/myanmar-air-force-helicopter-crash-indicates-wider-maintenance-issues/

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Myanmar Air Force Helicopter Crash Indicates Wider Maintenance Issues | Atlas News

?? ?? ?? German Military on Ukraine's Kursk Offensive: via theatlasnews.co

German Major General Dr. Christian Freuding’s provides his insights and unique perspective of how #Germany views #Ukraine’s ongoing operations in #Russia’s #Kursk Oblast, which is viewed as a strategic offensive designed to alleviate pressure on Ukrainian defensive lines, boost morale, and potentially create political leverage. @AtlasNewsTelegram

Read the full analysis and article on theatlasnews.co

While this operation has drawn criticism for potentially stretching Ukraine’s resources thin, Freuding argues that it also presents an opportunity to shift the momentum of the conflict. However, the situation in #Donbas remains critical, with Russian forces steadily advancing despite well-established Ukrainian defenses. #Donetsk #Luhansk

While exact figures on the number of Ukrainian forces committed to this operation remain unclear, Freuding described the Ukrainian strength as four brigades, roughly four to six thousand soldiers. These forces operating inside Russia are also supported by an additional two to four thousand troops inside Ukraine’s #Sumy region in logistics, air defense, and long-range fires support.

Freuding described the operation as 65km wide, with advancements going as deep as 30km into Russian territory. He estimated that the total area in which Ukrainian forces are operating, not controlling, is around 1,000 square kilometers, roughly the size of ground lost to Russian forces in Ukraine since the beginning of the year.

As the conflict progresses, the introduction of NATO-supplied equipment like F-16s may offer Ukraine a much-needed edge in countering Russian air assaults, though Freuding remains cautious about labeling them a “game changer.” Likewise, Ukraine and Russia are continuing to face challenges with air defense capabilities as strikes from either side largely go unabated. Additionally, evolving battlefield tactics, such as the use of buggies and motorbikes, underscore the adaptive nature of modern warfare as both sides react to advancements in drone technology and shifting combat dynamics.

In short, the situation remains fluid. Freuding believes Ukraine is carrying out a calculated risk with its operations in Kursk, however, it must not jeopardize its ability to maintain and adapt defensive strategies in critical areas such as the Donbas.

Read the full Atlas News analysis and details of Freuding's assessment here: https://theatlasnews.co/analysis/2024/08/16/what-is-the-german-militarys-perspective-on-the-kursk-offensive/

Full video with English subtitles: https://youtu.be/xP3QTufqxzo

?? ?? #Russia Diverts Troops to Counter #Ukraine’s #Kursk Offensive: theatlasnews.co

Russian forces have launched a counteroffensive to the Kursk incursion as Ukrainian troops continue to secure their gains, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stating that:

“A Ukrainian military commandant’s office is being established there [in the captured territories]. Several other settlements have also been liberated. In total, more than eighty.” @AtlasNewsTelegram

Zelensky claimed today, August 15, that Kyiv forces have taken full control of the vital energy crosspoint Russian town of Sudzha in the Kursk region.

As the Kursk offensive continues, #Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov announced the deployment of additional forces to Belgorod Oblast to contain the Ukrainian incursion into the Kursk region, amid attempts by #Ukrainian forces to penetrate #Belgorod.

It is still unclear where those troops may come from and how many of them will be diverted to ensure the defense of Kursk. According to U.S. and Ukrainian officials, relocated troops may represent several brigade-sized elements, each consisting of at least 1,000 troops. CNN, citing Western intelligence sources, reports that these reinforcements are primarily untrained conscripts, suggesting that they are being drawn from regions within Russia rather than from the frontlines in Donbas, where Moscow has been advancing

Following this announcement, the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) claimed on Telegram that several localities in Kursk Oblast previously captured by Ukrainian units have been retaken. These include the village of Kroupets, located 10 km from the Ukrainian border, and Martynovka, 8 km northeast of the strategic gas station in Sudzha.

Additionally, Russian forces reportedly repelled attempts by Ukrainian mobile groups to advance deeper into Russian territory in the areas of Varvarovka, Safonovka, Sheptukhovka, Kauchuk, and Alekseevskoye.

Read the full article and details here: https://theatlasnews.co/latest/2024/08/16/russia-diverts-troops-to-counter-ukraines-kursk-offensive/

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Russia Diverts Troops to Counter Ukraine’s Kursk Offensive | Atlas News

?? ?? ?? #BREAKING According to US President Joe Biden, #Israel has proposed a "comprehensive" temporary ceasefire deal in #Gaza, #Palestine, which most notably includes the withdrawal of Israel's forces from Gaza for six weeks. “Israel has now offered a comprehensive…

?? ?? ?? #BREAKING According to US President Joe Biden, #Israel has proposed a "comprehensive" temporary ceasefire deal in #Gaza, #Palestine, which most notably includes the withdrawal of Israel's forces from Gaza for six weeks. “Israel has now offered a comprehensive new proposal. It’s a roadmap to an enduring ceasefire and the release of all hostages. This proposal has been transmitted by Qatar to Hamas,” Biden said.

The exact details of the ceasefire are not immediately clear, but they seem to be mostly akin to previous deals offered by Israel. The first phase of the ceasefire would last six weeks, see the release of some hostages, and see no Israeli military action during this time.

“This new proposal has three phases: The first phase would last for six weeks. It would include a full and complete ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza, the release of a number of hostages including women, the elderly, the wounded in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners,” Biden said. "Additionally, some remains of hostages who have been killed will be returned to their families, bringing some degree of closure to the terrible grief. Palestinian civilians will return to their homes and neighborhoods in all areas of Gaza, including in the north; and humanitarian assistance would surge with 600 trucks carrying aid into Gaza every single day."

"During the six-week first phase, Israel and Hamas would “negotiate the necessary arrangements to get to phase two, which is a permanent end to hostilities,” Biden continued. Foreign hostages including Americans would be released at this stage as well.

Phase two would see the release of all remaining living Israeli hostages, including male soldiers, with the continued withdrawal of Israel during the process.

“Finally, in phase three, a major reconstruction plan for Gaza would commence, and the final remains of hostages who’ve been killed will be returned to their families,” Biden finished. “That’s the offer that’s now on the table.”

“As long as Hamas lives up to its commitments, the temporary ceasefire would become permanent." Biden added on, apparently quoting text from the deal.

The core difference between this new proposal and previous ones, is that Israel has now offered the withdrawal of all of its troops from Gaza during this time.

The complete withdrawal of Israeli forces has been demanded continually by #Hamas as a non-negotiable condition for any ceasefire deal. Previously, this has been refused by Israel, and so Israel relenting upon this aspect represents a major concession.

This concession notably comes after recent protests in Israel against #Netanyahu and the Israeli government’s perceived inability to secure the release of the remaining Israeli hostages still held within Gaza. Protestors, numbering in the thousands, have demanded the resignation of Netanyahu and a permanent ceasefire paired with a prisoner swap in order to release all remaining hostages, and end the war.

While this is a massive concession towards Hamas’ demands, there remains one core demand from Hamas that makes it uncertain if Hamas will accept Israel’s new deal. That being; Hamas demands a permanent ceasefire, not a temporary one.

In all of their recent proposals, and during negotiations, Hamas has demanded the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces as well as a permanent ceasefire.

In contrast, Israel has, until now, rejected the notion of a withdrawal, while remaining insistent that any ceasefire established be temporary.

Since the beginning of the war, Israel has clearly laid out through direct statements that its ultimate goal is the “destruction of Hamas,” as well as the release of all hostages. This goal prompts their rejection of a permanent ceasefire.

Hamas has yet to release a statement on Israel’s proposal, however President #Biden has urged Hamas to accept it. Via theatlasnews.co @AtlasNewsTelegram
https://theatlasnews.co/latest/2024/05/31/israel-proposes-new-ceasefire-deal-with-large-concessions/

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Israel Proposes New Ceasefire Deal with Large Concessions | Atlas News

?? New #DRC/#Congo Government Finally Announced: https://theatlasnews.co/latest/2024/05/31/new-drc-government-finally-announced/

theatlasnews.co

New DRC Government Finally Announced | Atlas News

?? ?? #ICJ Orders Israel to Halt #Rafah Operation, #Israel Refuses:

In an expected announcement, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Israel to halt its operation in Rafah, #Palestine. The ICJ claimed that the humanitarian situation in Rafah has “deteriorated further” and that Israeli measures to protect civilians have failed. The ICJ also ordered Israel to respond to these demands and show compliance within one month.

In response, Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir called for the “occupation” of Rafah and to increase military pressure in response to the ICJ order.

This order comes after the International Criminal Court (ICC) applied for arrest warrants for both Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Hamas leader Sinwar.

While the ICC is independent of the UN, the ICJ is an organ of the UN and has considerably more power amongst international disputes than the ICC, which issues criminal court proceedings. All nations are party to the ICJ if they are members of the UN. However, as the U.S. demonstrated that after the ICJ ruling against its Nicaragua War, nations can withdraw compulsory jurisdiction in cases involving them if they do not agree. Via theatlasnews.co

@AtlasNewsTelegram