The Stan R. Mitchell report for 4/5/22.

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Hope your week is off to a great start!

The most shocking news since my last newsletter was the discovery of executed civilians in the town of Bucha. More than 400, with some found with their arms bound behind their backs and executed.

The Russian government immediately claimed it was all false, blaming the Ukrainians for using actors and staged media tours. But those statements fell apart within hours.

#Bucha bodies weren’t there when they left - @nytimes \n#BUCHA #Ukraine \n","username":"holmescnn","name":"Michael Holmes","date":"Mon Apr 04 20:43:23 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":37,"like_count":90,"expanded_url":{"url":"https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/04/wo... images show bodies lay in Bucha for weeks, despite Russian claims.","description":"The images rebut Russia’s claim that the killing of civilians in Bucha, near Kyiv, took place after its soldiers had left town.","domain":"nytimes.com"},"video_url":null}">Michael Holmes @holmescnnSatellite images refute Russian claims #Bucha bodies weren’t there when they left - @nytimes #BUCHA #Ukraine Satellite images show bodies lay in Bucha for weeks, despite Russian claims.The images rebut Russia’s claim that the killing of civilians in Bucha, near Kyiv, took place after its soldiers had left town.nytimes.com

April 4th 2022

37 Retweets90 Likes

With both visual footage from satellites, as well as the length of time the bodies had been decomposing.

President Biden stated that he thinks there should be a war crimes trial for the atrocities.

bbc.in/3NP0Pcg ","username":"BBCWorld","name":"BBC News (World)","date":"Tue Apr 05 13:47:14 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://cdn.substack.com/image/upload...BBC News (World) @BBCWorldBiden calls for Putin to face war crimes trial after Ukrainian killingsbbc.in/3NP0Pcg

April 5th 2022

224 Retweets1,199 Likes

It’s hard for me to wrap my head around all of these murders and attacks on civilians (Rape as a weapon: huge scale of sexual violence inflicted in Ukraine emerges). You can’t put it all on Putin, as he isn’t in control of each soldier’s actions.

Partly, I think it’s an undisciplined army, with poor leadership.

But there’s something deeper here, too. There was a viral video on Twitter that was made before the war even happened. And you can see the hatred and disgust that many Russian feel toward Ukrainians. (“Khokhol” carries a negative connotation and is mainly used by Russians to address Ukrainians.)

@disarmonia I’ve added subtitles. ","username":"wonderfulpyos","name":"Kona","date":"Sat Apr 02 17:19:40 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://cdn.substack.com/image/upload...Kona @wonderfulpyos@disarmonia I’ve added subtitles.

April 2nd 2022

976 Retweets1,866 Likes

As the previous tweet to this one said, which I’m not sharing because it lacks subtitles, “Nobody is forcing these people to act like this, to use slurs, to tell this Ukrainian man they hate us as soon as they see him. They are pretty much anonymous on the internet. Putin is not forcing them. Nobody is paying them. They just hate. Hate.”

Obviously, some Russians have protested the war. And some Russians have family ties across the border. But these horrors (and this video) cause me to wonder if there isn’t more hatred than we initially suspected between the two countries. Who, after all, have been at war with each other since 2014.

Moving away from such unpleasantness and horror, I mentioned in the last newsletter that Virginia Congresswoman Elaine Luria blasted the Navy for its upcoming budget, which cuts the number of ships down. (If you missed it, you really need to go read it here: The Stan R. Mitchell report for 4/1/22.)

Now, it appears Congress may turn down the Navy’s request.

news.usni.org/2022/04/04/con… ","username":"USNINews","name":"USNI News","date":"Tue Apr 05 00:02:58 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FPiexM...USNI News @USNINewsCongress May Reject Navy's Proposal to End LPD-17 Flight II Line, Lawmakers Say - USNI Newsnews.usni.org/2022/04/04/con…

April 5th 2022

5 Retweets26 Likes

If you read the story, you’ll see in many ways, this is a Navy versus Marine Corps battle. The very ships the Navy wants to cut are the top priority for the Marine Corps. (This is quite similar to when the Air Force wants to cut planes used for ground support and focus instead on fighters or other “more sexy” projects than ground-hugging, old-frame A-10 Warthogs…)

Here’s another great article on the subject, which goes a little more in depth.

Task & Purpose @TaskandPurposeWhy the Navy’s plan to get rid of 24 ships is a really bad idea Why the Navy’s plan to get rid of 24 ships is a really bad idea“China is not a ‘pacing challenge’ when they will soon have double the size of our Navy.”taskandpurpose.com

April 4th 2022

5 Retweets16 Likes

Speaking of the Marine Corps, my beloved service is in the fight for its soul, so to speak. And I’m torn on where I really stand. I mostly think it’s changing too quickly and that we should leave infantry battalions as they were when I was in.

But I’m also cognizant that I’m a bit older and warfare has changed a great deal than even when I served twenty years ago. But if you want to get into what’s happening, the article below is a good one to explore.

politico.com/news/2022/04/0… ","username":"StanRMitchell","name":"Stan R. Mitchell","date":"Sat Apr 02 17:53:40 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FPW3EW...Stan R. Mitchell @StanRMitchellFascinating reading. I have really mixed feelings about the entire thing. How two dozen retired generals are trying to stop an overhaul of the Marines politico.com/news/2022/04/0…

April 2nd 2022

1 Retweet3 Likes

With all the talk about gas prices and oil production, here’s a reminder on what you need to know about OPEC, or the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. These countries control nearly 40 percent of the world’s oil supply.

The article below is a good, short summary of the group.

Council on Foreign Relations @CFR_orgThe surge in oil prices from Russia’s war in Ukraine has refocused attention on OPEC. Here's what to know about the bloc of oil-rich nations. OPEC in a Changing WorldWestern leaders have long criticized OPEC’s power to raise oil prices, and the bloc continues to influence the global market even as U.S. oil production has soared and alternative energies have come to the fore.on.cfr.org

March 26th 2022

10 Retweets18 Likes

Moving along to tech news, we’ve talked in the past about drone swarms. And how they might be stopped.

The below video is an ABSOLUTE must-watch on how to stop drones, at least against bases and hardened positions. It also discusses the shortcomings of trying to shoot down drones with gunfire or missiles.

A perfect, high-level review, all in just a bit over three minutes.

zpr.io/ed8tWksLFUny ","username":"defense_news","name":"Defense News","date":"Mon Apr 04 13:13:43 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FPgKK_...Defense News @defense_newsHitting drones with Thor's hammer | MilTechzpr.io/ed8tWksLFUny

April 4th 2022

2 Retweets5 Likes

Finally, let’s end with some motivation and wisdom.

First, how about this incredible story, of how we can all be the change around us.

Stan R. Mitchell @StanRMitchellA beautiful, feel-good story. Cars were killing salamanders. A student got the road closed to save them.Once Marquette residents learned about the critters, they fell in love and started a Salamander Days festival.washingtonpost.com

April 4th 2022

Here’s that above story, with it NOT behind a paywall. (The short of the story is a student realized that hundreds of salamanders were being killed on a road at night, and after some study, a town closed a single street for a short time at night during the time when they travel. Not only were the salamanders saved, but a festival was also launched and it became its own point of pride for a town.)

Now, moving on:

zach @McKeeZachThere’s a difference between being happy and being distracted from sadness

April 3rd 2022

301,924 Retweets1,525,824 Likes#quote #quotesmith55 #belief #possible #MondayMotivation ","username":"Ranal55","name":"Ranal Currie","date":"Mon Apr 04 12:55:03 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FPgF5l...Ranal Currie @Ranal55It is only when you believe that the impossible is possible that you make it so.#quote #quotesmith55 #belief #possible #MondayMotivation

April 4th 2022

88 Retweets108 Likes🪶Native Red Cloud🪶Maȟpíya Lúta🪶5thGen🦬FM3⚡️🦉 @Native3rd“We must change our energy if we want to change our lives.”~ Lakota 🪶✨

April 3rd 2022

441 Retweets2,073 LikesLife Quotes @RTLifeQuotesMany people think they want things, but they don't really have the strength, the discipline. They are weak. I believe that you get what you want if you want it badly enough. — Sophia Loren

April 4th 2022

30 Retweets134 LikesMotivational Quotes @spreadcheer1Your struggle is real. But so is your immense strength. You're not helpless although you're dispirited in this moment. Feeling low is okay. Everyone has phases of self-doubt. The sooner you embrace inner power & confidence, the sooner your life starts showing sign of advancement.

April 4th 2022

37 Retweets119 LikesInspirational Quotes @TheQuoteBoook_What ever you decide to do, make sure it makes you happy.

April 4th 2022

102 Retweets342 Likes#SundayMotivation ","username":"IMQuotes_Videos","name":"Inspired Motivation Quotes","date":"Sun Apr 03 12:00:10 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FPavvq...Inspired Motivation Quotes @IMQuotes_VideosAlways strive to maintain a positive, optimistic, solution-oriented mindset.#SundayMotivation

April 3rd 2022

77 Retweets170 Likesbuff.ly/2t4uhCi ","username":"fearlessmotivat","name":"Fearless Motivation","date":"Sun Apr 03 12:05:02 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FPaw3L...Fearless Motivation @fearlessmotivatYou'll never get very far in life if you only work hard on the days you feel like it. buff.ly/2t4uhCi

April 3rd 2022

24 Retweets82 Likes

That’s it for this edition. As a reminder, please be kind and endeavor to love your fellow Americans. We need to pull this country together, and that starts with all of us.

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Semper Fidelis,

Stan R. Mitchell

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my books. I’ve written a CIA/Marine sniper series, a detective series, a private investigator series, an action-packed Western, a leadership/biography book, and two realistic war novels: one about World War II and one about Afghanistan.

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