Dead Drop: October 6

TANKS FOR THE HELP, BORIS:  In addition to being courageous, Ukrainian military officers have proven themselves to be incredibly innovative on the battlefield.  So, when a Ukrainian officer was having mechanical trouble with a Russian T-72B3 tank that his countrymen had captured and hoped to use to shoot back at their invaders, he dialed up the manufacturers help line (in Russia). Yep, you read that right.  The Ukrainian, who goes by the call sign “Kochevnik,” apparently called Russian tank tech support to kvetch about their product.  According to an article in Forbes,the Russian on the other end didn’t realize he was talking with a Ukrainian – so he promised to relay the caller’s concerns to the tech department for help. In a video of the call, Kochevnik finally revealed his nationality saying: “Look, I’m the commander of the armored group K-2. This is the second mechanized battalion of Ukraine’s 54th Mechanized Brigade,” adding “When we take more of these tanks as our trophies, make them better so that it will be easier for us to operate them. Agreed? Thank you very much. Take care of yourselves. Glory to Ukraine.” No word on how long Kochevnik had to wait on hold but we’re guessing that was one tech support call that was well worth the wait.

YOU CAN’T FIGHT CITY HALL: In another “difficult to believe but probably true” item – Newsweek reports that a dissident group called “The Dossier Center” says the Russian government accidentally “revealed the addresses of the country’s secret military building, institution, and spy homes, in Moscow and St. Petersburg.”  The addresses were reportedly listed in a 434-page document called “Special Group” that was posted on the Moscow City Hall website. The document explained that there must be “no blackouts” at the facilities listed therein. Unsurprisingly, the document is no longer available on the City Hall website – but here’s hoping “The Dossier Center” had the presence of mind to download a copy before it mysteriously disappeared.