Russian President Vladimir Putin is almost certainly very unhappy right now!
According to a report published today by Newsweek, Russian fighters in Ukraine reportedly downed two of their own air superiority Sukhoi Su-35 (AKA: Flanker-E) frontline jets for the second time in eight days.
The most recent incident took place today (10/6/2023) in Mariupol, according to multiple reports from Ukrainian defense officials. It appears that the pilot of this Su-35 may have survived the incident.
The earlier incident took place on Thursday, September 28, 2023, near the occupied Ukrainian city of Tokmak in the southern Zaporizhzhia region. The British Defense Ministry stated in a recent intelligence update that it was 80-90% confident that a Russian Su-35 was destroyed on September 28, 2023 when Russian air defense forces accidentally shot it down during combat over Tokmak.
The Newsweek article may be read HERE.
FGGAM reported only two days ago, on October 4, 2023, that President Putin was testing Russia’s emergency alerts systems nationwide and has ordered large-scale drills simulating the country’s response to a nuclear attack and implementing martial law under a narrative that 70% of housing in the country was destroyed. This FGGAM article may be read HERE.
My brothers and sisters, although friendly fire incidents sometimes happen, the loss of two air superiority fighters in an eight-day period represents deep trouble with Russia’s command & control and/or pilot training or competence.
It’s easy to see why President Putin often makes threats regarding the use of nuclear armaments, considering the reportedly staggering number of Russian military deaths in Ukraine and the demonstrated inability to move effectively in the prosecution of the war (thankfully), and now, the apparent incompetence of its command and control structures.
Considering the ongoing emergency civil defense drill in Russia, the lack of success in prosecuting the war in Ukraine, the still strong worldwide condemnation of Russia’s actions, and now with even more evidence of Russian incompetence in battle, President Putin’s threats to use nuclear weapons, while not probable, must not be ruled out.
Although it may not be a popular view, it seems that if we (and the world) reward President Putin with any of Ukraine’s territory following his murderous war, then the free countries of the world, including the United States, will eventually have to put a stop to President Putin’s future and continuing ambitions. We should not be oversimplistic nor short-sighted in our political views, as we need to maintain a deterrent against warmongering leaders such as President Putin by developing and maintaining the world’s strongest and most cutting-edge military.
If you are willing, let’s pray for God’s intervention to bring a swift and just end to the bloodshed, suffering, pain and trauma in Ukraine. Let’s not allow the politics of it all to affect our calling as Christians to love others as ourselves – both Ukrainians and Russians. Let’s pray for God’s peace, strength and favor upon people of Ukraine. Let’s also pray for Russia’s leaders and its citizens to seek wisdom and to begin to see this war for the evil that it really is – and to relent from its prosecution. And while we’re on our knees(!), let’s give thanks and praise to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for His mercy and goodness. The Answer is always Jesus!
Here are some scriptures to consider:
Psalm 34:14 (NKJV)
“Depart from evil and do good; [s]eek peace and pursue it.”
Proverbs 12:20 (NKJV)
“Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, [b]ut counselors of peace have joy.”
James 1:5 (NKJV)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)
“…if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Jonah 3:6-10 (ESV)
Following Jonah’s Prophecy of The Lord, The People of Nineveh Repent
“The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, ‘[b]y the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from [H]is fierce anger, so that we may not perish.’ When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that [H]e had said [H]e would do to them, and [H]e did not do it.”
Praise Jesus forevermore!