The view from the front: military matters and motivation for 5/31/22.
Hi friend,
Happy Tuesday! Hope you had an incredible Memorial Day weekend!
The better half and I really had a great weekend. We managed to get in a great run, pull off some pool-side time, and see the movie Top Gun.
Stan R. Mitchell @StanRMitchellThree tough, hot miles on Memorial Day with my two favorite peeps to honor those paid the ultimate price. 
May 30th 2022
10 LikesAnd before we get to the news, let me say this: do not miss going to see Top Gun in theaters…
I expected something that was kind of cheesy or maybe somewhat decent and reminiscent. A movie I’d enjoy, but one that wouldn’t necessarily crack even the top 100 great movies I had seen.
I was wrong.
Top Gun absolutely rocked my world and inspired the hell out of me as a creator. Even Jaimie agreed it was one of the best movies we have ever seen. Make sure you go see it in theaters. (You’ll want the full experience on this one.)
Let’s begin today’s news portion with a quick re-visit.
As my regular readers know, I have written about the surrounded defenders in the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol in almost every edition for the past two months or so.
And weeks and weeks ago, I had speculated that I thought Ukrainians had been resupplying the cut-off troops at the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol.
I’m going to share exactly what I said in The Stan R. Mitchell report for 4/22/22.
If I had to guess, I’d say there’s some kind of resupply happening by sea or something. Or maybe even by large drones or something. (They do, after all, make a drone that can carry 500 pounds of supplies; and that was a civilian version on a video from a year ago.)
Well, it’s taken some time, but it’s now confirmed that the defenders were being resupplied. (See below.)
#Russia #Ukraine ","username":"Blue_Sauron","name":"BlueSauron👁️","date":"Tue May 31 10:10:19 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://substackcdn.com/image/upload/...
BlueSauron👁️ @Blue_SauronFor the first time, footage has been released of Ukrainian helicopters while facing the odds and resupplying Mariupol defenders during the siege.#Russia #Ukraine May 31st 2022
238 Retweets1,058 LikesI’d love to say I’m a genius for suggesting this, but it’s really just common sense. I knew they had to be getting some supplies.
Partly, this is because I know how much ammunition modern battles require. You have to suppress the enemy. Obtain fire superiority. Fire and move. Etc.
And the reality is that most fighters barely carry enough ammo for a single day. Even a couple of hours of hard fighting.
While I assumed they had some stored and pre-staged ammo, I just knew they had to be running out. And more than likely, they were. But they were getting re-supplied. (Just not by some kind of crazy drone that can carry 500 pounds of supplies! That must have been the crazy fiction writer in me talking. lol)
Sadly, however, it seems like Russia is going to make an example out of those who stood up so bravely against them. (See below.)
espresso.economist.com/67249303d47d37… ","username":"StanRMitchell","name":"Stan R. Mitchell","date":"Thu May 26 10:26:09 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":0,"like_count":0,"expanded_url":{"url":"http://espresso.economist.com/6724930... defenders redefined in Russia","description":"For 12 improbable weeks Ukraine’s Azov regiment held out against Russian troops in the city of","domain":"espresso.economist.com"},"video_url":null}">Stan R. Mitchell @StanRMitchellMariupol’s defenders redefined in Russia espresso.economist.com/67249303d47d37… 
Mariupol’s defenders redefined in RussiaFor 12 improbable weeks Ukraine’s Azov regiment held out against Russian troops in the city ofespresso.economist.com
May 26th 2022
From the story: “Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Andrei Rudenko, said on Wednesday that no swaps would happen before those who surrendered have been ‘properly convicted and sentenced.’”
It looks to me like the horrendous suffering of those who stood up to the Russians hasn’t come close to being done.
In bigger news this week, the European Union voted to halt the majority of Russian oil imports. The AP called it “the most significant effort yet to punish Russia for its war in Ukraine.” (See below.)
The Associated Press @APEuropean Union leaders agreed to cut about 90% of Russian oil imports, in a significant new push by the West to punish Moscow for its war in Ukraine.The tense EU summit negotiations in Brussels succeeded in papering over some of the cracks in unity. 
In big bid to punish Moscow, EU bans most Russia oil importsBRUSSELS (AP) — In the most significant effort yet to punish Russia for its war in Ukraine, the European Union agreed to ban the overwhelming majority of Russian oil imports after tense negotiations that exposed the cracks in European unity.apne.wsMay 31st 2022
108 Retweets301 LikesIn other Ukraine news, the idea of a multi-national navy to break the Russian blockade continues to potentially gain steam. It’s gone from nobodies like me throwing the idea out to actual admirals now discussing it.
From Admiral James Stavridis: How to Break Russia’s Blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea Ports.
Moving along, this is not a big news story, but as a former infantryman, let me just say this VERY LOUDLY, almost in my war yell, “Pump this STRAIGHT into my veins.”
#Russia #Ukraine ","username":"Blue_Sauron","name":"BlueSauron👁️","date":"Fri May 27 06:02:56 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://substackcdn.com/image/upload/...BlueSauron👁️ @Blue_SauronIncredible footage of American volunteers in Ukraine striking a Russian BTR.#Russia #Ukraine May 27th 2022
8,750 Retweets48,561 LikesMoving along to larger news, the rush for a better foothold against China continues. (See below.)
espresso.economist.com/8f51d048845867… from @TheEconomist ","username":"StanRMitchell","name":"Stan R. Mitchell","date":"Mon May 30 12:35:04 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":0,"like_count":1,"expanded_url":{"url":"http://espresso.economist.com/8f51d04... battle for influence in the Pacific","description":"In the second world war, America thwarted Japan’s advance by leapfrogging across the Pacific","domain":"espresso.economist.com"},"video_url":null}">Stan R. Mitchell @StanRMitchellThe battle for influence in the Pacific espresso.economist.com/8f51d048845867… from @TheEconomist 
The battle for influence in the PacificIn the second world war, America thwarted Japan’s advance by leapfrogging across the Pacificespresso.economist.comMay 30th 2022
1 LikeFrom the article: “China has embarked on a diplomatic island-hopping campaign to secure a foothold in the region. America hopes to slow it down. China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, is on an eight-nation Pacific tour. Since Thursday, Mr Wang has signed economic deals in Kiribati and Samoa. In Fiji on Monday he is expected to unveil a pact covering fisheries, security and other areas with ten Pacific nations.”
President Biden visited the region to help strengthen the alliances there, but he created confusion with his comments (how did he make this gaffe again?!).
This was the third time in recent months that he made the wrong comment regarding whether America would defend Taiwan.
Some Biden supporters say he’s playing three-dimensional chess, but I’d argue it’s not working and makes him look foolish. If he wants to change our policy toward Taiwan, then change it.
It’s absurdly silly to make a comment that goes against national policy, only to then have it immediately countered by staffers. (I think Biden believes he’s showing strength, but he looks like a man who has to be corrected by the smarter, better-informed experts.)
China clearly isn’t impressed. It sent 30 fighters into Taiwan’s air defense zone, the largest number since January.
The irony is I’d say he’s done a strong job of creating and strengthening alliances in the region to counter China. But he can never seem to get out of his own way on things.
Let’s wrap things up there for today. And end with some motivation and wisdom.
Motivational Quotes @motivation_qotRemember the days you prayed for what you have now.May 29th 2022
30 Retweets108 Likes
Inspirational Quotes @TheQuoteBoook_Just follow your joy. Always. I think that if you do that, life will take you on the course that it’s meant to take you.May 29th 2022
144 Retweets580 LikesMotivational Quotes @motivation_qotTrust your intuition. It never lies.May 27th 2022
32 Retweets146 LikesInspirational Quotes @TheQuoteBoook_You get in life what you have the courage to ask for.May 31st 2022
286 Retweets1,508 LikesMotivational Quotes @motivation_qotBe proud, you survived the days you thought you couldn’t.May 28th 2022
97 Retweets316 Likes
Life Quotes @RTLifeQuotesPain never really goes away; you just elevate and get used to it by growing stronger. – Philippos SyrigosMay 31st 2022
20 Retweets85 LikesMotivational Quotes @motivation_qot"Don’t waste your time stressing over things you can’t change."May 30th 2022
84 Retweets331 LikesLife Quotes @RTLifeQuotesDon't dare to be different, dare to be yourself - if that doesn't make you different then something is wrong. – Laura BakerMay 30th 2022
25 Retweets76 LikesMotivational Quotes @motivation_qotDon’t lose hope, you never know what tomorrow will bring.May 30th 2022
278 Retweets1,229 LikesLife Quotes @RTLifeQuotesA strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug. – Patricia NealMay 30th 2022
13 Retweets95 LikesInspirational Quotes @TheQuoteBoook_Life's like a movie, write your own ending. Keep believing, keep pretendingMay 29th 2022
216 Retweets1,121 LikesMotivational Quotes @motivation_qotNever stop believing in hope because miracles happen everyday.May 31st 2022
27 Retweets80 LikesLife Quotes @RTLifeQuotesNot until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves. – Henry David ThoreauMay 30th 2022
50 Retweets253 LikesInspirational Quotes @TheQuoteBoook_Don't let one cloud obliterate the whole sky.May 29th 2022
198 Retweets1,059 LikesMotivational Quotes @motivation_qotIf you aren’t making mistakes, you aren’t really trying.May 31st 2022
11 Retweets36 LikesLife Quotes @RTLifeQuotesEvery child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up. – Pablo PicassoMay 30th 2022
22 Retweets115 LikesMotivational Quotes @motivation_qotDon't complain. Rebuild your life.May 26th 2022
442 Retweets1,719 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.
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.
