The Evolution of Decoy Tanks in the Russia-Ukraine War

Iruni Kalupahana JadeTimes Staff

I. Kalupahana is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Russia-Ukraine war

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Image Source: Inna Varenytsia

The war between Russia and Ukraine, now in its third year, has highlighted the increasing role of cutting edge technology on the battlefield. The most visible of these is the widespread use of drones for surveillance and precision strikes against enemy armored vehicles. These unmanned aerial vehicles, equipped with sophisticated sensors and improved electronic countermeasure resistance, have transformed traditional warfare strategies. To combat such developments, the Russian and Ukrainian militaries have turned to decoy armored vehicles, an ancient military strategy which has seen an unprecedented level of creativity in both design and potential in this conflict.

The decoy designs of this war vary widely from straightforward wooden frame decoys to extremely realistic inflatable designs. At the lowest level, social media videos have shown hastily thrown together BMP-1 decoys constructed from wooden chassis draped with thick canvas material. The makeshift impersonators, while easily seen through as forgeries upon inspection, are nonetheless capable of tricking reconnaissance drones and far away viewers. However, their low resistance and poor features make them less effective against modern imaging technology, which can easily identify them quickly as fake armored vehicles.

Even more advanced decoys have since made an appearance, with increased realism and durability. Large wooden mock ups of Leopard 2A6 tanks, for instance, have been used by the Ukrainian military, and these must be transported in military vehicles along the frontlines. These successful decoys have successfully diverted Russian Lancet loitering munitions from actual combat vehicles, redirecting costly precision guided attacks against them. The same Leopard 2A4 decoys are also deployed in Donetsk Oblast, supported with camouflage netting for added authenticity. These tactics of deception force adversaries to squander precious resources while providing strategic cover for actual armored formations.

The two nations have also adopted the utilization of inflatable decoy technology to aid their deception operations. Video taken from a Ukrainian drone recorded a cluster of what appeared to be Russian T-72 tanks last week but were found later to be inflated duplicates. They are produced by companies such as Rusbal, which make duplicates with the size and shape of an actual tank but without the exact details required to withstand a close up inspection. Inflatable decoys have been added to Ukraine's defense as well, and the Czech company InflaTech provided Leopard 2A4 duplicates to it. While drone warfare continues to reign supreme on modern battlefields, the advancement of decoy technology has been a key element in counteracting precision strikes and guaranteeing battlefield surprise.

French Language Authorities Recommend Substituting English Suffix 'Core' with 'Style' in Fashion Vocabulary

Pankaj Singh Bisht, Jadetimes Staff

Pankaj is a Jadetimes news reporter covering culture News

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Image Source :pinterest.co.kr

The fashion world has witnessed a rise in trends branded with the English suffix "core" over the past few years, including "cottagecore," "Barbiecore," and "gorpcore." These have spread across the world of fashion, capturing different aesthetic trends and ways of life. But in France, a nation famous for its linguistic pride and cultural heritage, officials are resisting this Anglicization. The Commission d'enrichissement de la langue française (CELF), the body charged with protecting and enriching the French language, has suggested substituting the English suffix "core" with the French term "style" to characterize these trends.

Maintaining Linguistic Integrity

The CELF recommendation is one component of a wider effort to push back against the incursion of English words into the French language, especially in sectors such as fashion where Anglicisms are the norm. In pushing for "style" in place of "core," the commission seeks to preserve the integrity and purity of the French language. For instance, "cottagecore" would be replaced by "style campagnard" (country style), while "Barbiecore" would be "style Barbie."

The Emergence of 'Core' Trends

The term "core" has come to be identified with myriad subcultures and beauty trends, sometimes born in online forums. The speed with which these develop, fueled by social media sites, has translated into broad usage of phrases such as "cottagecore," which is a romanticization of rural existence, and "gorpcore," as influenced by outdoor and hiking wear. The speed at which the terms are spreading has helped them enter mainstream vocabulary, with French purists fearing the loss of the French vocabulary.

Fashion Industry's Role

France's leading role in the world fashion industry increases the significance of such linguistic changes. The attention given by the CELF to substituting "core" with "style" emphasizes the need to preserve the integrity of the French language within this powerful sector. Nevertheless, the success of these suggestions is doubtful, given Anglicisms' penetration into popular culture and subcultures.

Historical Context

This is not the first attempt by French authorities to limit the use of English words. In 2023, there were attempts to substitute expressions such as "it girl" with "icône de la mode" (fashion icon) and "lifestyle" with "style de vie." Despite such efforts, most English expressions have continued to be used in common parlance, reflecting the difficulty of controlling language in a more globalized world.

Public Reception and Challenges

The CELF's proposals have evoked debates among language purists and the general public. While some agree with the protection of the French language, others perceive these actions as excessive or unrealistic, particularly in light of the widespread dominance of English in international media and internet sites. The incorporation of Anglicisms into French is perceived as a natural development of language, an expression of cultural exchange and technological developments.

The Future of French in Fashion

As the fashion world keeps changing, so will the terminology used to define its trends. The CELF's insistence on "style" instead of "core" is a promise to uphold the uniqueness of the French language. Yet, the nature of language as dynamic implies that there must be a balance between upholding linguistic heritage and accepting the fluidity that accompanies cultural mixing.

The French opposition to the English suffix "core" in fashion vocabulary highlights an enduring attempt to preserve linguistic identity against the threat of globalization. While the recommendations of the CELF seek to stem the usage of Anglicisms, the sheer prevalence of their use poses a considerable challenge. In the end, the dynamics of language development mirror the broader shifts in society, and the tension between preservation and adaptation will continue to drive the future of French in the fashion world.

Controversy Erupts as Museum Honoring Stalin's Culture Chief Opens in Mariupol

Pankaj Singh Bisht, Jadetimes Staff

Pankaj is a Jadetimes news reporter covering culture News

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Image Source :the times of israel

In war-torn Mariupol city, a new development has caused deep controversy and outrage amongst Ukrainians: the opening of a museum commemorating the works of Andrei Zhdanov, a well-known Soviet leader who served as the chief of culture under Joseph Stalin and an active participant in the Great Purge. The action is seen by many as an open provocation that ignores the painful past linked to the deeds of Zhdanov.

Andrei Zhdanov: Designer of Soviet Cultural Repression

Andrei Zhdanov was a top Soviet leader from Mariupol who was instrumental in fashioning the USSR's cultural and ideological direction under Stalin's rule. The chief administrator of the Soviet Union's culture policy, Zhdanov was responsible for imposing total artistic conformity, which resulted in massive persecution of artists, writers, and intellectuals. His policies, altogether referred to as the "Zhdanov Doctrine," required that all cultural productions come under Communist ideology and silence any kind of dissent or perceived deviation. Zhdanov sanctioned many lists of executions during the Great Purge, further solidifying his position as an enforcer of Stalinist repression.

The Inauguration of the Museum in Controversy

The opening of Mariupol's Zhdanov museum has been universally condemned by Ukrainians. Those who oppose it say that celebrating a man whose name has become synonymous with cultural repression and wholesale murder is a direct insult to the victims of Soviet atrocities. Ukrainian author Andrey Kurkov called the opening of the museum "ridiculous and disgusting," sentiments shared by most who see it as an effort to celebrate a black page in history.

Russian Excuses and Historical Revisions

Russian authorities have justified the establishment of the museum by focusing on Zhdanov's part in defending Leningrad during World War II.

They claim that his services to the Soviet war effort deserve memorialization. Nevertheless, this view is controversial, as it ignores Zhdanov's involvement in Stalinist purges and crackdowns on artistic freedom. The creation of the museum is regarded by some as a part of a larger Kremlin agenda to trigger Soviet nostalgia and create parallels between World War II and ongoing modern geopolitical tensions, such as those between Russia and Ukraine.

Mariupol's Tragic Recent History

The fact that Mariupol has been selected as the location of the museum serves to compound controversy.

The city has suffered a great deal in recent years from conflict, with widespread destruction being caused by Russian military activities.

The siege of Mariupol also resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians and the destruction of much of the city's infrastructure. The building of a museum commemorating someone linked to historic oppressions within a city already recovering from present-day violence has been widely considered to be immensely insensitive and inciting. EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG Broader Implications and Reactions The opening of the museum has provoked controversies outside of Ukraine as well. Russian liberals and human rights defenders have been critical of the move, seeing it as an endorsement of Stalinist politics and a retreat in terms of admitting past injustices. Russian political analyst Andrei Kolesnikov stated that the opening of the museum "clearly defines Kremlin's ideology as Stalinist," raising questions regarding the revival of authoritarian attitudes in Russia.

The opening of a museum dedicated to Andrei Zhdanov in Mariupol has reopened debates regarding historical memory, cultural heritage, and commemoration politics.

For Ukrainians and many observers globally, this move represents an unsettling effort to rehabilitate repressive figures and to impose a narrative that erases the pain caused during both the past and recent wars.

While Mariupol itself rebuilds and recovers from its recent past traumas, the existence of such a museum is a strong reminder of how complicated history and memory are for areas with conflicts.