What the failed Russian nuclear test tells us about Putin’s missile forces | Ukraine: The Latest

Day 960.

Today, we look at why Kamala Harris isn’t talking about Ukraine, and hear from a missile-technology expert about what Russia’s recent failed (and very expensive) missile test might mean for arms control and strategic ability.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Tony Diver (US Editor). @TonyDiver on X.

Tim Wright (Research Analyst and Programme Administrator for Defence and Military Analysis at the IISS). @Wright_T_J on X.

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50 comments

  1. It tells us that machines fail sometimes. It's life. The F-35 has had some fails. Will the aircraft a failure?

  2. British state media complaining that Americans don't want to send any more of their money to Ukraine, it's insane…

  4. Love the Cheese, Biscuits and Whisky mission to Islay to drink by David's side Dom.

    Pour one out in the grass for David…hopefully there will be "scudding clouds and just a hint of autumn" x

  5. People seem to be looking for any reason to rip Harris on Ukraine when she has been consistent in her support. Also, its not like the US is giving Ukraine dollar bills, it is the value of old equipment sitting in warehouses. People who complain about things in the US have no idea the root cause of their complaints- they just like to complain.

  6. ~5 mins – Orban claiming Trump will somehow bring a cessationnto the war as soon as he is elected, ie before being inaugurated — Im sure I remember from some of the turmoil o the previous Trump regime that the US has a law to the effec that its a crime for any US citizen who is not in an official capacity or elected office to deal with third party countries as if they were actually in power. Perhaps Trump could get arrested between being elected and inaugurated? Fingers crossed!

  7. Alternative interpretation: VP Harris is briefed enough to know that stating that Ukraine should join NATO before the war is won only helps Putin. It would strengthen his resolve to keep the war going indefinitely, since a country can't join NATO if there's an active conflict. Win the war, then invite them to NATO is a defensible strategic outlook

  8. Not to burst anyone's bubble. I'm an American, and a listener to this series. So, some of us, including me, do care a great deal about Ukraine. I think we don't do enough for Ukraine.

  9. Iskander-M missile strike on Ukraine's Patriot air defense system, battle review
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkPvws-OQWI
    Unique footage of the simultaneous combat operation of the Ukrainian Patriot air defense system of American manufacture and the Iskander-M operational-tactical missile system of Russia has been published. The Patriot air defense system division was deployed in the area of ​​the settlement of Pashena Balka in the Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine. It is worth noting that the Patriot air defense system was recorded with violations; the system was supposed to be covered by another air defense system to work on small-sized objects. Due to the sudden disclosure, the Russian Orlan-M UAV conducted unimpeded reconnaissance and guided the missiles to the target. The Patriot air defense system crew recorded the Iskander missile and launched two interceptor missiles. The Patriot missiles moved towards the target, but due to the fact that the angle of approach of the Iskander-M missile to the target exceeded 80 degrees, the guidance radar lost the target, the guidance of the interceptor missiles was limited. As a result of the battle, the Iskander missiles used the air burst method to set fire to the AN/MRO-65 radar, the AN/MSO-104 combat control station and one Patriot SAM launcher. The extent of the damage is not obvious, as the filming was done from a great distance. Technical information on the Patriot SAM is available on the channel.
    Lamp of Knowledge

  11. I thought Harris's position on Ukraine was quite clear when she did the joint press statement with Zelensky? Certainly she seems to have a much stronger position on supporting Ukraine than trump… who would just try and do a deal with his mate Pootin at Ukraines expense.

  13. Sounds like Trump has phone chats with Orban telling him things that isn't going to happen even if he wins the election. Harris may have things to learn on foreign affairs – domestic issues seems to take over due to her having to dispute all of Trump's lies. I am hoping she hires better advisors than Biden. Walz is totally onboard on foreign affairs.

  16. I think Kamala Harris responded “Iran” as the biggest threat/concern because, as vice president she is privy to very classified info that most of the world is not, she knows some things about Iran, that truly propel it to the front of Immediate- long-term concerns. To be honest, I think her answer should raise alarm bells about Iran, rather than her diplomatic prowess. We should be concerned, as she is.

  17. TRUMPUTIN IS NOT HOT ON HER HEELS !!!! KAMALA HAS PASSED TRUMPUTIN !!!!!! This guy is so behind and MISREPRESENTING the facts that HE is a Russian implant or a MAGA Supporter !!! Definitely not RELIABLE !!!!! 👎🏿👎🏽👎✌🖖🍁🌻💙🇺🇦

  19. A consistent frustration with President Biden vis-a-vis Ukraine, among many, has been the failure to explain to the American public the context & vital importance of supporting Ukraine, explaining the % of $$$ given to Ukraine, much of which stayed within the U.S. Joe had two occasions during which to accomplish this: both in Warsaw. It could be a staff issue, of poorly written speeches & poor staff work in general. As to Vice President Harris’s international experience: Biden obviously had confidence in her by tasking her to convey US intelligence with President Zelenskyy just days before the full scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

    Re New START: how could anyone have expected a long lifespan from the November 2010 treaty when it was signed by a pretend president, that wonderful truth-teller, what’s his face? Medvedev
    As to the other treaty— all bets are obviously off.

  20. I love the show. I hate the first guest today. He is way off on what we think it the states. Hes the most byest guest ever. The VP in america has no authority to speak on foreign policy. This guy is up trumps @ss and its obvious

  22. Even US majors in geography barely know where Ukraine is, so the general population (who barely know where Europe is) are unlikely to care about Ukraine policy yet alone wider foreign policy. Unsurprisingly, it's not a vote winner. And before anyone complains, I think that's a position of many (including European) countries unfortunately

  26. Cumala is literally the dumbest person in the US gov't. I don't think that she ever tried a case in CA. She simply does what she is told. There is no original thought in that empty head.

  28. Ukraine has destroyed tons of oil in Russia. Is the Russian army getting a lot of fuel from Ukrainian resources? Are Russian tanks filling up at Ukrainian gas stations?

  29. Issue is , we dont have the money , we have to print it and borrow it , then print more to pay intrest . These things are inflationary and wars are unpopular

  30. American politics does not care about Ukraine. American politicians care about getting elected so they can become wealthy by making sure rich people stay rich.

  32. These British commentators are getting it all wrong regarding American politics and Ukraine and Russia. No one will get elected based on talking a lot about the war in Ukraine. If people think about foreign threats any of three may be top of mind: Russia, China or Iran.

  33. I’m also from Michigan, unlike the dimwit who was interviewed many of us here do care about foreign policy (but many of us who are pro-Ukraine but politically US-centrist find it very hard to vote for a halfwit on either side). Unfortunately we have too many “country bumpkins” here not unlike the Ruzzians who only care about what’s in their back yard.

  40. Yeah, the Russo-Ukrainian War is NOT a priority in the current election, not by a country mile, and her non-responses to that and foreign policy (in general) are just deflections to avoid creating any issues that distract from the ones most Americans worry about. But she has made our commitment to NATO VERY clear, and that should be the thing that "guides" folks in how she will be thinking about our role in European security, and our assistance with Ukraine.

  41. Well, when will the West take the lead in this goddam fight. The West is hiding under their beds supporting this war!!!!!
    🩷🧡💛💚💙🩵💜❤️

  42. Aside from furthering WEF and neocon goals to try and breakup up Russia, was David Knowles' most significant achievement dehumanisng Russians by being the furst to come up with the Orc term? Which he lifted from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.

  43. I suspect that Harris doesn’t want to talk international politics because it loses her votes from someone no matter what she says. Iran may have seemed like a safe answer at the time.

  44. One idea I’ve been wondering armor recently is the idea of having conventional ICBMs, to use in concert with, or instead of nukes. Imaginea really big MIRV loaded with bunker busters. It would get around the nuclear taboo and the Start treaty, and would allow strikes against military targets without using nukes.

  45. The Washington “blob” decides on American foreign policy. President is just a figurehead spending 4 years repaying the donors.

  46. Just sayin', this senior citizen from central Montana thinks foreign policy is huge, thinks Ukraine must be given what it takes to push Putin out of Ukraine, and will vote against any candidate that cozies up to Putin.

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