(Ukraine War) – Russian TU-22M Bomber Successfully Intercepts a Ukrainian Surface to Air Missile
Ukraine Attacks Ancient Russian Recovery Ship Kommuna
Three for Sunday Newsletter #13
- A Russian TU-22M successfully intercepts a Ukrainian Surface to Air Missile, gallantly sacrificing itself for Mother Russia. - An ancient Russian military ship around since the czars was attacked by the Ukrainians– If you love nature and the outdoors and are looking for some relaxation, try fishing, you will relax and see some outdoors.
All this and a famous quote in this weeks “Three for Sunday” newsletter.
Enjoy!
#1 (Ukraine War) – Russian TU-22M Bomber Successfully Intercepts A Ukrainian Surface to Air Missile
On April 19th a Russian TU-22M Backfire bomber successfully intercepted a Ukrainian Surface to Air Missile (SAM) near Stavropol in Russia.
The Russian bomber gallantly sacrificed itself for Mother Russia while returning from a mission.
Ukraine reports it shot the bomber down with a modified SA-5 Gammon (Franken SAM) at a distance of approximately 300km. If true, this would be an amazing shot for a decade’s old missile albeit with modern western technology attached to it.
As usual, Russia claims it was an “engine fire” which is their modus operandi after losing high valued military equipment such as bombers or ships.
Russia has had numerous “engine fires” and “careless cigarette smokers” during the war.
Another possibility is that the bomber was shot down by a “friendly” SAM which I guess is possible, due to the fact the missile is older than I am.
Russia could not deny the loss of the Backfire because there is video on the inter-webs showing it plummeting to the ground in a flat spin with its ass on fire and then exploding on the ground.
So, there is that, though per the Russians it spontaneously combusted then crashed, that happens a lot to the Russians in this war.
So, it was a loss, whether by a Franken SAM or Friendly SAM we will never know unless Russia breaks habit and admits to it.
Don’t hold your breath.
This makes the first TU-22M lost in action with another one damaged in a Ukrainian drone strike last year.
Russia stated that crew ejected but one was killed and another crewman maybe missing.
Ukraine has some bite; thus, why Russian aircraft rarely fly over Ukrainian territory.
#2 (Ukraine War) – Ukraine Attacks Ancient Russian Recovery Ship Kommuna
On April 21st the Russian rescue ship Kommuna was attacked and possibly damaged by a Ukrainian Neptune anti-ship missile while docked in the port of Sevastopol.
It is not clear if the ship was hit or not but there is video of a large fire either on or near the ship.
What is unique about this ship is that it was built in 1912 making the ship one hundred and twelve years old. The ship is still active in the Russian fleet and was used in the recovery of the crew of the ill-fated Russian heavy cruiser Moskva back in April of 2022.
Do not know if the Kommuna was the original target but the missile either struck the ship or just missed it.
The Russians report the ship was not damaged and a small fire was contained.
Video suggests otherwise but like everything else about the Russians, take their word with a grain of salt due to the fact they are master class liars, they lie about anything and everything.
#3 (Fishing) – If you want some Relaxation, Try Fishing, you Cannot Help but Relax
Farm Fishing Pond in Rural North Carolina - Photo by Author.
If you are looking to relax you can do no worse than dipping a hook in a local body of water near you whether the ocean, a pond, a lake or a river.
If you like being around nature, try fishing, you will get up close with nature.
As a kid my dad would take me and my brothers fishing either at his work or on a pier on the York River in Virginia.
I have fond memories of these fishing trips when my dad would wake us boys up early in the morning when it was still dark outside (By knocking on the door and saying the sandman was here) and then driving for an hour or so to our fishing spots or to his work.
My dad worked in a water treatment plant and sometimes he would take me and my brothers with him and while he worked, we would fish in a small reservoir in Hampton, Virginia, catching dozens of bluegills and sunfish.
These were great times.
We fished both salt and freshwater with saltwater fishing being our favorite with bobber fishing for Bluegill being a close second. Nothing like watching a bobber go underwater or feeling a tug on your line.
When fishing in the York River we would fish for Atlantic Croaker or Spot, both tasty fish.
I have not had many opportunities to fish in recent years but when a chance arrives, I enjoy going to a country pond here in North Carolina.
Another form of fishing I enjoy is crabbing for Blue Crabs, dipping a chicken neck on a string and dipping a crab with a net while reeling in the string is exciting. I have not crabbed in many a moon, hopefully I will get another chance before I get planted.
I love sitting in a lawn chair and fishing either during the early morning or late afternoons when it is not quite as hot, sipping on an ice-cold soda, listening to my surroundings and talking with family and friends.
If you get a chance and love nature, you should try fishing.
Quote of the Week #13
“I like work; it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours.”—Jerome K. Jerome
Nice reporting.
Did you see the protestors at Columbia volunteered for police training in how to clear a building? That was nice of them to take time out of their rigorous academic demands.