The view from the front: military matters and motivation for 5/27/22.
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Happy Friday! Hope you have some awesome plans for the weekend!
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In Ukraine news, the biggest news of late is this.
Natasha Bertrand @NatashaBertrandNews: The Biden admin is preparing to send Ukraine advanced, long-range rocket systems—known as MLRS and HIMARS—that are now the top request from Ukrainian officials, multiple officials say.Approval could be announced as soon as next week. 
US preparing to approve advanced long-range rocket system for UkraineThe Biden administration is preparing to step up the kind of weaponry it is offering Ukraine by sending advanced, long-range rocket systems that are now the top request from Ukrainian officials, multiple officials say.cnn.comMay 26th 2022
4,418 Retweets20,824 LikesBut that is actually huge news because of late, Ukraine has been dealing with this:
Defence of Ukraine @DefenceUrussian TOS-1A shelling Ukrainian positions near Novomykhailivka, Donetsk region. This is what the the largest and most horrific war of the 21st century looks like. Ukraine is ready to strike back. To do this, we need NATO-style MLRS. Immediately. May 26th 2022
4,528 Retweets12,950 LikesThe rockets we’re talking about have far greater range than the artillery that’s been sent, so it would help equalize the fight.
The rockets shown above are partly why Russia has made some slight advances in part of their lines. I’ll show that in three images below.
First, here’s a broad perspective of where the fighting is currently happening:
Ukraine War Map @War_MapperA map of the approximate situation on the ground in Ukraine as of 00:00 UTC 27/05/22. 
May 27th 2022
126 Retweets501 LikesAnd here it is zoomed in around that purple in the middle of the image above:
Ukraine War Map @War_MapperUpdates:🇷🇺 continued their advance SW of Popasna, capturing Ilovaisk.🇷🇺 have captured the city of Lyman after the remaining 🇺🇦 troops in the city withdrew across the Siverskyi Donets river. 
May 27th 2022
110 Retweets440 LikesAnd finally, here’s a look at the changes over the past two weeks. If you pause on the image below a moment, you’ll see it’s a gif that changes and shows you the changes.
Ukraine War Map @War_MapperA look at the control changes in the Donbas over the last 2 weeks.00:00 Friday 13 May --> 00:00 Friday 27 May 
May 27th 2022
184 Retweets515 LikesAs you can tell in the bottom image, the moving image is just slightly above the purple areain that second map.
The Russians are trying to advance in that narrow zone, primarily, as well as trying to cut off some additional Ukrainian cities.
Moving along, I mentioned in the last newsletter (and the one before that) the situation regarding the Russian blockade of Ukraine’s grain. (If you haven’t read up on that, definitely give it a quick read.)
But so far, there’s been no changes to the situation. (See below.)
news.usni.org/2022/05/26/ukr… ","username":"NavalInstitute","name":"U.S. Naval Institute","date":"Thu May 26 21:50:15 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FTtzDv...
U.S. Naval Institute @NavalInstituteUkrainian Grain Still Trapped By Russian Naval Blockade, Pentagon Says - USNI Newsnews.usni.org/2022/05/26/ukr… 
May 26th 2022
12 Retweets26 LikesFurther moving along, while the war drags on and the wheat sits, Europe and the West has split into two main sides on how to end the war.
The Economist explained that on one side is the “peace party,” which desires an end to the fighting and a deal cut with Russia as quickly as possible.
On the other side is the “justice party,” which seeks to punish Russia and pummel the outcast country for its outrageous and illegal conduct. (See below.)
economist.com/europe/2022/05… ","username":"StanRMitchell","name":"Stan R. Mitchell","date":"Thu May 26 16:52:56 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":0,"like_count":1,"expanded_url":{"url":"https://www.economist.com/europe/2022... and how might the war in Ukraine end?","description":"Western allies are starting to split over the conditions for a peace","domain":"economist.com"},"video_url":null}">
Stan R. Mitchell @StanRMitchellWhen and how might the war in Ukraine end? economist.com/europe/2022/05… 
When and how might the war in Ukraine end?Western allies are starting to split over the conditions for a peaceeconomist.comMay 26th 2022
1 LikeThe Economist states that the peace camp is comprised of Germany, Italy, and France (who wants a peace deal without “humiliation” for Russia). On the other side is Poland, the Baltic states, and Britain.
In the middle, stands the United States, which seems torn about which side to stand on. The article lays out instances of when America has seemed to seek peace and other examples of when it’s seemed to seek justice.
The article also makes a chilling point I had never considered, as well as hints to the impermanence of the conflict.
“The paradox of the situation is that both sides still believe they can win,” says Volodymyr Fesenko, a political analyst in Kyiv. “Only if we really reach a stalemate, and Moscow and Kyiv recognise it as such, can any talk of compromise be possible. Even then, it is likely to be temporary.”
That is certainly an unsettling thought to consider, but as we used to say in the Marines all the time, “If you want peace, prepare for war.”
Let’s end with the military matters there. (Honestly, I could go on quite a bit longer, but I never know how much you all want. My fear is that if the newsletters become too much, they will never get opened and could become seen as “work” to read. And I certainly don’t want that.)
Nonetheless, here’s some motivation and wisdom to chew on, before you head out for your weekends.
Success Minded @_SuccessMinded_Mastery begins with beginnershipMay 27th 2022
96 Retweets512 Likes
Inspirational Quotes @TheQuoteBoook_Life has two rules: 1 Never quit. 2 Always remember rule 1.May 27th 2022
1,114 Retweets4,267 LikesSuccess Minded @_SuccessMinded_"Train your mind to be stronger than your feelings."May 26th 2022
698 Retweets3,117 Likes
Life Quotes @RTLifeQuotesFreedom from effort in the present merely means that there has been effort stored up in the past. – Theodore RooseveltMay 26th 2022
9 Retweets43 Likes
Motivational Quotes @motivation_qotDon’t rush the process. Good things take timeMay 26th 2022
60 Retweets181 LikesInspirational Quotes @TheQuoteBoook_Don't waste your life trying to impress other people. Do what you love, love what you do.May 25th 2022
2,721 Retweets10,317 LikesThat’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.
The view from the front: military matters and motivation is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
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 IIand one about Afghanistan.
P.P.S. And here’s a short bio about me and what I’m trying to do with the newsletter.
