@ Norwegian 76
This “contractual issue” re payment currency for gas, reminds me so much of this Western claim that Russia breached the Budapest Agreement which recognised Ukraine’s borders including Crimea. Naturally, the same Budapest agreement explicitly stipulated that neither the West nor Russia are allowed to influence Ukrainian internal politics, that Ukraine must remain neutral. Soon after, the West did a little $5B coup on a legitimately elected Ukrainian government. Yet, somehow that breach of Budapest Agreement was not relevant, whilst the acceptance by Russia of a legitimate referendum in Crimea and the subsequent change in Ukraine’s border was the only breach. The Western mindset of might-makes-right: “all contract clauses apply to you, but only the clauses I choose apply to me”. In other words, the contracts we sign are not worth the paper they are printed on, “nedogovornosposobnye” (incapable of making agreements). They completely forget that they do not have the might over Russia any more, neither economic nor military, but their mindset still remains.

Posted by: Kiza | Mar 31 2022 19:44 utc | 103

The unfriendly states are smart if they pay in rubles now. Because the euro will lose massive purchasing power in the future. Think about it 🤗

Posted by: Idoho | Mar 31 2022 20:01 utc | 105

The procedure of payment has been defined to take place over the next ten days,
Posted by: GreyRaven | Mar 31 2022 19:08 utc | 99
I am not exactly sure. Notice, that all other bodies were *ordered* to be ready in 10 days, yet the bank – and only the bank – was *suggested* to be ready.
There has to be a reason for this difference, and to me it implies it was not carved in stone yet if the bank would publish the procedure or instead would say “we are not ready yet, stay tuned”.
Additionally Putin just created a “single point of failure”, literally put a target on this bank. All the USA lapdogs have to do to prevent the trade is properly, watertightly sanctioning that single bank.
I think they would do anything for it and, ultimately, would succeed.
However the fight behind EU closed doors gonna be bloody. “Sowing discords” yoy preached? Okay, let us not disaprove your accusations.
But let’s assume the pendulum swinged the other way and after bitter fight pro-economy faction prevailed and the bank was exempted from sanctions (despite hawks piblic humiliation). And then, on the day 10, all the eurotraders are “ready at the low start” for implementing whatever procedure to be declared.
https://marathonec.ru/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/beg-s-nizkogo-starta.jpg
….and at the end of the day the bank just says “we have no procedure yet”. Imagine the commotion and humiliation.

Posted by: Arioch | Mar 31 2022 20:35 utc | 107

Interesting opinion albeit a bit cryptic from one of the channels close to the military, https://t.me/mig41/15855:

It seems to us that there is somehow a lack of clarity, certainty and an honest, direct conversation between the Russian authorities and the (Russian) people. Who, at a difficult moment, we can say, almost unanimously supported this government.
We hope that the authorities understand this. And the Army… The army will do its job.

Political goals not well defined?
Complexity and longevity of this military operation not communicated well?

Posted by: Boo | Mar 31 2022 20:46 utc | 109

It appears that 2-3 other helicopters were involved. Escaped with around 30 foreign spies, or downed secretly by Russia and it isn’t admitted so NATO cannot bitch and scream?
Posted by: Brother Ma | Mar 31 2022 19:39 utc | 100
Given both of the captives were useless and/or not giving away2 much info, i think the two that were downed were filled with 300’s as cannon fodders so the others with more valuable cargos can get away.

Posted by: A.L. | Mar 31 2022 20:54 utc | 111

Exile @ 103
Yes, green screen. Pointing at the road and gesturing to his left there is no sense he is there. This should be “boots on the ground” reporting, there are no boots and no ground. Compare and contrast with Pat Lancaster. There is plenty of journalism waiting to be done, this guy never will.

Posted by: oldhippie | Mar 31 2022 20:56 utc | 113

Posted by: njet | Mar 31 2022 20:45 utc | 107
Moreover, tying the price of gold from below to equivalent of 75 rubles per dollar (roughly equivalent to the exchange rate pre-invasion) guarantees some immutability of the exchange rate of the euro vs. the ruble. This will need further adjustments if the ruble becomes more desirable.

Posted by: Boo | Mar 31 2022 21:05 utc | 115

@Boo #94:

https://t.me/belvestnik/21018
The gaz for rubles scheme, simplified. Somebody needs to buy those euros on the Moscow Forex-change however. Help needed to explain this crucial step. Would it be the Chinese. Who needs euros in Russia?

Foreign companies that are selling their goods or services in Russia⁠, that is, for rubles via a Russian subsidiary⁠, need to repatriate their profits (Russian sales revenue sans Russian subsidiary’s operating and capital costs, debt service, if any, and tax payments). To do that, they sell rubles on the Moscow Exchange and buy dollars or euros, which they then repatriate.

Posted by: S | Mar 31 2022 21:13 utc | 117

Posted by: Boo | Mar 31 2022 21:00 utc | 113
Thank you for that excellent explanation.
I would add that this arrangement affects current contracts immediately. Clearly what Russia has in mind is that future contracts will stipulate payment in rubles to be paid into Russian entity bank accounts held in Russia.
And this will apply not only to gas but all other Russian exports.
The ruble has already bounced back to pre-invasion levels. And the new arrangement hasn’t even started yet! So much for destroying Russia’s economy.

Posted by: Cyberhorse | Mar 31 2022 21:13 utc | 119

Posted by: Cyberhorse | Mar 31 2022 21:13 utc | 118
Yeah, the explanation posted by @rybar channel makes it clearer and simplified enough to understand even for an economic dummy as me.

Posted by: Boo | Mar 31 2022 21:20 utc | 121

Posted by: njet | Mar 31 2022 21:13 utc | 117
This is something that IMHO may happen in a situation where the ruble is overvalued, I guess. Then the contracts become too expensive.

Posted by: Boo | Mar 31 2022 21:23 utc | 123

Roger @95–
Imran Khan’s troubles are straight from the Outlaw US Empire as deep ties (read bribes and control) exist between the Pentagon and Pakistani military. The economy is doing very well thanks to the vast increase in energy thanks to BRI/China whereas shortages and blackouts were the norm prior to his election. The inflation hitting the world and Pakistan isn’t Khan’s fault but related to the dollar’s decline. The deficits are a chimera as that’s how the energy system was built-up. The vote is Monday.

Posted by: karlof1 | Mar 31 2022 21:39 utc | 125

Arioch @93–
I get a different translation from the one you provided:
However, Western countries have taken their step, and we, of course, must answer it. I suggest that we proceed from the fact that there will be no previous interaction with former partners in the near future. We are not going to close ourselves off from anyone and we will not be a closed country, but we must proceed from the realities that are emerging.

Posted by: karlof1 | Mar 31 2022 21:41 utc | 127

@njet #107:

But the contracts fix prices in Euro…
Who the f… will bear the risk of the risk of the exchange rate? That is the question!

You have answered your question yourself. The exchange rate risks will be borne by Gazprom.

A lot of noise about nothing.

Wrong. The change may seem slight, but it’s important. All euros paid by European gas companies to Gazprombank will be immediately offloaded via the Moscow Exchange to other parties (e.g., foreign companies operating in Russia that need to repatriate their profits). Gazprom/Gazprombank will no longer be holding these euros. Also, European gas companies will have ruble accounts, so when their contracts expire or they decide to re-negotiate them, they will be asked to pay in rubles directly (i.e., they will have to buy rubles on the Moscow Exchange themselves, bearing the exchange rate risks, which they’ll be able to reduce with the help of forex futures traded on the Moscow Exchange).

Posted by: S | Mar 31 2022 21:56 utc | 129

Brother Ma | Mar 31 2022 19:39 utc | 100
I thought that, earlier in the week, two helicopters were reported destroyed over the sea. That would make 4 in total.

Posted by: cirsium | Mar 31 2022 22:03 utc | 131

S @128–
IMO, the several poster appearing to be obtuse are trolls aiming to take up our valuable time. IMO, we’ve done our part via explanations and should do no more as all the info is on this and the last three other threads.
I do have a question for you. After Putin made the Gas/Rubles speech, he went into the issue of Russia’s airlines and civilian aircraft manufacturing. I saw an expectation forwarded that 100 million Russians are expected to travel via airplane; here’s the specific passage:
“I will outline a specific benchmark: the volume of domestic traffic this year should, of course, grow compared to last year, and the number of passengers transported – we have just talked about this, I fully agree with this figure – should be at least one hundred million people by the end of the year.”
That’s an enormous percentage of the population and it’s specifically “domestic traffic”, although foreign tourists would account for some part. My question is, How realistic is the estimate? If correct, it tells me Russians have plenty of discretionary income and time to take vacations via airplane. And that’s a sign the economy is doing well contrary to the propaganda. What’s your take?

Posted by: karlof1 | Mar 31 2022 22:15 utc | 133

Re: Pakistan
A lifetime of US gov involvement, so the person-to-person links in institutions are well entrenched. Both direct sponsorship relationship from US (ie picture a big cohort of upper-level Pak bureaucrats with family in US, blob jobs in DC, kids in US colleges etc) and indirect via the Gulf monarchies. Only relatively recently that China eclipsed US. Certainly there will be enough of the old US/Gulf sponsorship networks to “make things happen”. Understandably, US is desperate to either regime-change, or at a minimum create chaos. Question is if Pak government + China are up to the same kind of anti-sabotage game found in Iran or some of the central Asian ‘stans. China + current Pak gov’t would have to work pretty hard and/or be willing to resort to some brutality to squash it, but they are probably as well aware as anyone.
The Israel-Saudi-UAE group might also be into causing as much chaos in Pak as they can, due to focus on slowing the realization of Iran’s potential — and/or would ask China to throw Iran under the bus instead. (and if that doesn’t work, down the road will call in US legislative investments to have US attack Iran directly, but that’s getting way, way ahead of ourselves)

Posted by: ptb | Mar 31 2022 22:17 utc | 135

Given both of the captives were useless and/or not giving away2 much info, i think the two that were downed were filled with 300’s as cannon fodders so the others with more valuable cargos can get away.
Posted by: A.L. | Mar 31 2022 20:54 utc | 110
The story goes like this: four Mi-8 copters and one Mi-24 for protection. Two fallen, three escaping. But those are only the words of the two surviving nazis. You are free to believe them… or not. The second copter: 2 stories, hit but not falling immediately and either crashing in the see or on land.

Posted by: Olivier | Mar 31 2022 22:29 utc | 137

Posted by: karlof1 | Mar 31 2022 22:15 utc | 132
Maybe the number is passengers rather than individuals? For example, pre-covid figures for “Number of passenger movements on domestic flights within the United Kingdom” were almost 40 million (about 60% of the population ??)
Statista

Posted by: Awe | Mar 31 2022 22:33 utc | 139

From Russian MoD Telegram channel…
Briefing by Russian Defence Ministry

Units of the Lugansk People’s Republic continue their offensive on the outskirts of Severodonetsk, advancing 2 km deep into the defence of the 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade. More than 40 Ukrainian brigade personnel, 3 IFVs, 3 vehicles of various purposes and 2 field depots for missile and artillery weapons were destroyed.
The grouping of troops of the Donetsk People’s Republic, continuing an offensive, has taken control of part of Novobakhmutovka. They are fighting units of 25th Ukrainian Airborne Brigade on the outskirts of Novoselovka II. During the day, more than 50 nationalists, 1 tank, 4 IFVs, 1 field ammunition depot and 1 fuel convoy of five vehicles were destroyed.
During the day, operational-tactical and army aviation hit 28 military assets of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Among them: 4 command posts, 3 field depots of missile and artillery weapons, as well as 6 areas of military equipment concentration.
Russian air defence means have shot down 1 Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter 30 kilometres west of Izyum city and 4 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles near Tamarino, Lisichansk and Volnovakha.
On the morning of March 31, the Kiev regime attempted to evacuate the command staff of the Ukrainian nationalist Azov regiment from Mariupol by 2 Mi-8 helicopters.
1st Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopter was shot down by a crew of portable anti-aircraft missile system of the People’s Militia of the Donetsk Republic, using a trophy US Stinger system, and crashed near Rybatskoe.
2nd Ukrainian Mi-8 – damaged by a missile hit, dodged towards the sea, but crashed 20 kilometres off the coast.
In total, 124 aircraft and 80 helicopters, 345 unmanned aerial vehicles, 1,826 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 195 multiple launch rocket systems, 702 field artillery and mortars, as well as 1,704 units of special military vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were destroyed during the operation.
#Russia #Ukraine #Briefing
@mod_russia_en

Posted by: Richard Steven Hack | Mar 31 2022 22:47 utc | 141

Video of Ukrainian ambulances holding armed soldiers inside accidentally caught on a news cast… From Russian MoD Telegram channel…
That #OOPS moment when the truth comes out… even on the MSM. On air.
The unexpected reveal of “innocent patients” with assault rifles showcased how the Ukrainian military uses ambulances. That same modus operandi involves exploiting civilians and using them as human shields.
https://t.me/mod_russia_en/573

Posted by: Richard Steven Hack | Mar 31 2022 22:52 utc | 143

Canadian veterans on the ground in Ukraine with ambulances and medical supplies https://rock101.com/news/8708117/ukraine-ambulance-mission-kyiv/

More than a week after leaving to help deliver three fully equipped ambulances to war-torn Ukraine, a Surrey, B.C., man is now on the ground in Kyiv, helping to build a field hospital and train civilians in first aid.
Chris Ketler, a Canadian Forces veteran and Canada Border Services Agency officer, flew to the U.K. on March 13 with a small team of Canadian and British volunteers, where they collected the ambulances, then drove them to Ukraine.

Posted by: Laurence | Mar 31 2022 23:12 utc | 145

@ oldhippie | Mar 31 2022 22:29 utc | 137
buyers and sellers…. if the price is low enough, someone will buy euros for rubles…
the way i see it russia had to do this because the west can’t fuck with banks inside russia… they can fuck with them outside russia, but not inside.. thus for those who want to trade with russia – set up a bank on russian soil and be subject to russian laws, as opposed to the reverse where you are subject to western thievery..
@ Richard Steven Hack | Mar 31 2022 23:10 utc | 143…
here in canada all stories and publications start with, or include a statement at the beginning that sounds like this ”ukrainian officials said…” or uk sources say, or usa intel says and etc. etc…. nothing is coming out from the russian side… all bad stories are said to be owned by russia and none by ukraine… after a while, anyone feeding on this b.s. either throws up and is fully on board with the propaganda… it was the same over mh17, skripal case, novichok, and etc. etc. – russia is bad and we can’t let you hear the russian side of the story… what are you a putin bot? lol.. shit like that..

Posted by: james | Mar 31 2022 23:20 utc | 147

It really feels like a green screen Dan Rivers is standing in front of. something feels off. Watch closely. above my pay grade but would like someone qualified to confirm or deny.
Posted by: Exile | Mar 31 2022 19:49 utc | 103
I’m no expert either, but this just looks wrong. If he’s standing on the road, either there is an upward incline that’s outside of the frame (notwithstanding that he’s at the “bottom” of a bridge), or he has freakishly long legs. And then there are the “weatherman” hand gestures (low pressure system coming in from the southwest….)
Many of Zelinsky’s “outdoor” videos have a similarly contrived look.

Posted by: farm ecologist | Mar 31 2022 23:33 utc | 149

@karlof1 #132:

I saw an expectation forwarded that 100 million Russians are expected to travel via airplane […] My question is, How realistic is the estimate?

It’s entirely realistic. In 2021, domestic air travel was 87.5 million passengers (source), intercity rail travel was 92 million passengers (source) and intercity bus travel was 7.42 million passengers (source).

Posted by: S | Apr 1 2022 0:03 utc | 151

It is never a good time to be an ‘ally” of the US, its ‘century’ is over.
Now it’s time for Russia to write Ukraine’s terms of surrender.
https://johnmenadue.com/time-to-talk-peace-terms-with-russia/

Posted by: Paul | Apr 1 2022 0:27 utc | 153

S @150–
Thanks for your reply. I presume that confirms the anecdotal evidence as correct. Next up for discussion will be shipping. The contrast between the two governments–Russia/US–is stark with Russia coordinated and very busy making the nation better versus lethargy and no effort to bettering people’s condition.
And Friday dawns on the day of reckoning for EU and Russian gas.

Posted by: karlof1 | Apr 1 2022 0:40 utc | 155

Outlaw US Empire urges all its citizens to leave Russia and Ukraine now because WNBA star Britney Griner got busted at Moscow’s airport having possession of illegal vaping drugs. But as this article informs, she was busted back on the 17th of February; so, that can’t be the real reason for the sudden hysteria.

Posted by: karlof1 | Apr 1 2022 0:48 utc | 157

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-mulls-nationalization-gazprom-rosneft-units-handelsblatt-2022-03-31/
“March 31 (Reuters) – The German economy ministry is considering expropriation of Gazprom (GAZP.MM) and Rosneft (ROSN.MM) units in the country amid concerns about security of energy supply, business daily Handelsblatt reported on Thursday, citing government sources.”
“Both companies are irreplaceable on the German energy market with Gazprom Germania operating large gas storage facilities and Rosneft Deutschland being a key player in the petrol, diesel and kerosene refinery markets, Handelsblatt reported.”

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Apr 1 2022 0:59 utc | 159

Correction: “only included in the Ukrainian Socialist Republic”

Posted by: bevin | Apr 1 2022 1:04 utc | 161

@Peter AU1 | Apr 1 2022 0:59 utc | 157
Nobody in German government is able/allowed to count to .ehn anymore.

Posted by: bjd | Apr 1 2022 1:10 utc | 163

Scott Morrison says Australia will send Bushmasters to Ukraine and fill Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s request
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-01/scott-morrison-australia-send-bushmasters-ukraine/100957634
Likely more about optics than practical reality but there is no debate and they seem so confident that “facts on the ground” will not penetrate the propaganda. They have no end game that doesn’t require full spectrum dominance.
Yeah it does get very confusing with the we, them, us… time for some gardening.

Posted by: Rae | Apr 1 2022 1:13 utc | 165

Peter AU1 @157–
I’ll bet that idea came from Washington, which of course ignored the consequences that Cyberhorse @160 noted as usual.
The Collective Beltway’s tearing its hair out because their crafty plan has blown up in their faces, much of the damage done by themselves.

Posted by: karlof1 | Apr 1 2022 1:17 utc | 167

karlof1 | Apr 1 2022 1:17 utc | 165
Escobar’s latest piece sure helps put the big picture in perspective. I had always felt Putin would ensure US was no longer a threat to Russia before he left office.
Re Germay’s Talk on nationalizing Gasprom assets. Watching the minions, they seem utterly confidant US will win against Russia and Germany. Perhaps they believe US bullshit on US military power. from what Martyanov has written US is now starting to scrap or retire its F-22’s to put the funds into a new aircraft. i guess they must have tested them against S-350 or S-400 and realized Russia could see them and shoot them down if necessary. also the javelins, although no doubt useful on light skinned vehicles have turned out to be useless against Russian tanks.
Lira strongly believes a large false flag is coming. Biden further reinforces that by getting a bit forgetful and talking publicly about what US have been scheming in private.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Apr 1 2022 1:47 utc | 169

Someone has to accept euros and hand equivelant in roubles to gazprom – leaving them holding euros and depleted of roubles.
They would need to be able to exchange the euros for roubles to replace what they paid out or they will run out of roubles – either euros for roubles (on foreign market) or euros for product (on foreign market) and product for roubles or euros for gold (on foreign market) and gold for roubles. Something like that.
Problem I have is what is exchange rate if no market is exchanging euros for roubles ? Would have to be based on gold I would think.

Posted by: jared | Apr 1 2022 1:58 utc | 171

The bushmaster lookes like madmax or tesla version of a pickup truck. Who picks up the tab I wonder?

Posted by: jared | Apr 1 2022 2:05 utc | 173

jared | Apr 1 2022 1:58 utc | 169
a lot Asia, Africa and wherever else that buys good from Europe will no doubt be able to buy those euros.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Apr 1 2022 2:21 utc | 175

@ karlof1 154
And Friday dawns on the day of reckoning for EU and Russian gas.
. . .happy (t)roubles day, EU!

Posted by: Don Bacon | Apr 1 2022 2:54 utc | 177

If the helicopters were flying below the radar, how do they know the second one crashed into the sea?

Posted by: Pete Jones | Apr 1 2022 3:46 utc | 179

April fools day? Nah, change that to European fools day.
European fools day – the day the dollar died.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Apr 1 2022 4:04 utc | 181

@mastameta | Mar 31 2022 15:21 utc | 38:
“the existence of these documents prove that the Pentagon really thought there would be no Russian attack, despite the US propaganda saying the opposite right before the actual Russian operation. otherwise they would have disposed of these documents. chalk it up to incompetence as well. there is always that.”
I think they did expect a large attack, but they didn’t expect the biolabs to be targetted and reached so early on. They thought they would have days/weeks to deal with those documents.

Posted by: pepa65 | Apr 1 2022 4:11 utc | 183

@177 “If the helicopters were flying below the radar, how do they know the second one crashed into the sea?”
They were looking right at it, perhaps?
Anyway, if it crashed into the sea of Azov then it won’t take the Russians long to find it and haul it out of the water.

Posted by: Yeah, Right | Apr 1 2022 4:22 utc | 185

What kind of Nazis are we talking about here?
Cuz the bad Nazis, I just punch em in the face.
I don’t support the bad Nazis, the ones who kill Jews.
Just the good ones.
The good Nazis, the moderate mostly peaceful ones,
Who fight for freedom
They are ok in my book.
I only hang with good Nazis, bruh.

Posted by: Cadence calls | Apr 1 2022 4:36 utc | 187

@karlof1 | Apr 1 2022 0:51 utc | 156:
“Outlaw US Empire urges all its citizens to leave Russia and Ukraine now”
It really might be that they are planning something dangerous, either to all people there, or stepping up their involvement that will put Americans at risk of revenge.

Posted by: pepa65 | Apr 1 2022 4:43 utc | 189

Below is a Xinhuanet posting that barflies should find interesting….when do the war crime trials start?

MOSCOW, March 31 (Xinhua) — A Russian parliamentary commission held its first meeting on Thursday, announcing the establishment of four working groups to investigate U.S.-controlled biological laboratories in Ukraine.
The commission heard information from the Russian Defense Ministry on the investigation into biological research by American specialists in Ukraine, the Russian State Duma or the lower house of the country’s Federal Assembly said in a statement.
During Russia’s special military operation, the dangerous biological activities of the United States on the territory of Ukraine were revealed, said Irina Yarovaya, co-chair of the commission and deputy chairperson of the State Duma.
“Dangerous both for Russia and for Ukraine itself. We are talking about secret activities controlled by the U.S. Department of Defense, with signs of the development of biological weapons,” she said.
The four working groups will conduct a detailed analysis of all documents and facts, including at the expert level, the senior lawmaker noted.
“Today the commission has instructed the working groups on defense, security and international law to start working on materials on the involvement of Hunter Biden in the project in Ukraine, as well as an invitation for explanations from him and Victoria Nuland,” Yarovaya said.
The investment fund Rosemont Seneca, currently managed by U.S. President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden, financed the Pentagon’s military biological program in Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry said last week.
U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland has admitted that “Ukraine has biological research facilities.”
The Russian parliamentary commission, which was founded last week, will report its findings to President Vladimir Putin, the government and international organizations. The next meeting of the commission will be held on April 4.

The noose is tightening…..

Posted by: psychohistorian | Apr 1 2022 4:55 utc | 191

Imran Kahan speech.
https://twitter.com/BrutIndia/status/1508466442500509709

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Apr 1 2022 5:07 utc | 193

Why US is trying to get rid of Khan now.
https://www.voanews.com/a/khan-after-putin-visit-pakistan-to-import-wheat-gas-from-russia-/6463734.html
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan announced Monday that his country will import about 2 million tons of wheat from Russia and buy natural gas as well under bilateral agreements the two sides signed last week during his official trip to Moscow.
Khan pressed on with his two-day visit and met with President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Thursday, hours after Russian forces invaded Ukraine, with Western countries pushing to isolate the Russian leader for his actions.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Apr 1 2022 5:13 utc | 195

@Chaka Khagan | Apr 1 2022 0:30 utc | 153

American Rocket Enterprises like SpaceX for example bought rocket engines from Russia.
Seems embarrassing and humiliating. That Russia builds better rocket engines than the USA.
Wonder if sanctions will impact US space programs and those of billionaire space cowboys like Musk and Bozos.

If I am not mistaken, I believe SpaceX is not using Russian engines, they have much smaller Merlin engines I think. It is the United Launch Alliance that is using the Russian RD-180 engine, or shall we say was using them.
It is obvious that the US is unable to build engines comparable to the RD-180.

Posted by: Norwegian | Apr 1 2022 5:25 utc | 197

@ Peter AU1 | Apr 1 2022 5:13 utc | 193
usa wants pakistan back in the fold and it ain’t gonna happen if imran khan remains in power…. that is it in a nutshell.. usa has had a tense relationship with pakistan for some time, and now the usa’s relationship with india seems tenuous too…

Posted by: james | Apr 1 2022 5:30 utc | 199