From the radio, I heard a (British Bullshit Corporation) report that a convoy of civilians fleeing hostilities had been struck by Russian fire, killing 30 or so. (Sorry, I didn’t pick up the area where this is supposed to have happened). Anyone know anymore details?

Posted by: tucenz | Oct 1 2022 12:02 utc | 3

Sorry, there was no thread…. And I am pissed off!
RF army IS SUFFERING!!!
I watch situation on front, YESTERAY ALL SOLDIERS WERE ON TV???? Following Putin speech? And villages were lost. 5000 encircled.
Again one big military center is falling. Liman.
I dont know what is going on with this generals? Are all of them drunk from champagne?
Thousands died to free this regions, cities, now they let them go?
I would shoot such generals on the wall!
Looks this mobilisation is to few to late… Who is planing operation? MORONS?
Short time ago, our selection of basketball players lost game to Poland. And we were Europen champions.
It came out, they were drinking until 5 AM the day they had game in afternoon. Yeah, we can take Poland for breakfast….
Spain did it in next game, for 41 points differece…
But, what is the point?
Russian army GAVE INITIATIVE AWAY! Ukrainians got success, one afteranother. Moral grove up! West started to deliver more weapons, encourazed…
So, I am just an civilian, amateur, but I am voundered by incompetency of leadership of RF army! What is that? People are dieing?
Becouse Russian army allowed import of anti aircraft systems, now they lost supremacy in the air! No aircraft can fly!
5 0f 5 caliber are shot down! Iranian drones are shot down! What is that?
On the and only Sarmat solution will remain…

Posted by: preseren3 | Oct 1 2022 12:04 utc | 5

eeny@7:
Perhaps you can enlighten us about where this vaunted Nato army will get its ammo, artillery shells, rockets, tanks etc now that Ukraine has been fed into the Russian meatgrinder? And how will Nato get quick replenishment when the member countries have deindustrialized?

Posted by: morongobill | Oct 1 2022 12:23 utc | 7

Posted by: salvo | Oct 1 2022 12:12 utc | 8
Its not NATO trolls. I am further away from them as it can be but I am in agreement with those above, as much as it pains me to do so.
I am not happy with the massive dose of overconfidence that the Kremlin acts with. Every defeat they suffer, it is getting more visible. Dir they overplay their hand and are now captured in their options? They have the power of justice on their side and yet …
Noone wants to be led by the nose by overconfident army staff.
The Kremlin declared the anti-war anti-imperialist manifesto yesterday – very great stuff I have been waiting for long – but I am starting to doubt whether this bunch is competent enough to pull it off. And whether they deserve my support or should I start looking elsewhere?
Lying to the ROW about ability and high morale is not a great way to start this off.

Posted by: alek_a | Oct 1 2022 12:29 utc | 9

Posted by: murgen23 | Oct 1 2022 12:34 utc | 16

Russian are very lucky that Ukraine is and is still a weak air power.

And will forever remain so …

Posted by: Arch Bungle | Oct 1 2022 12:38 utc | 11

Posted by: murgen23 | Oct 1 2022 12:34 utc | 16

Absurd, the weapon sent to Ukraine are all old. The HIMARS were used in 1991, the HRAM is from 1980, the PZ2000 were relegated to storage.

NATO has little better to offer than these old weapons.

Russian haven’t seen the finest NATO.

NATO has not yet tasted the finest the Russian Federation has to offer.

Posted by: Arch Bungle | Oct 1 2022 12:47 utc | 13

Posted by: Tom UK | Oct 1 2022 12:39 utc | 18

It sometimes helps to put yourself in another’s man’s shoes and view the world from there.

Ever tried stepping into the shoes of an ethnic Russian in Donetsk suffering years of NATO bombardment?

Posted by: Arch Bungle | Oct 1 2022 12:52 utc | 15

From the radio, I heard a (British Bullshit Corporation) report that a convoy of civilians fleeing hostilities had been struck by Russian fire, killing 30 or so. (Sorry, I didn’t pick up the area where this is supposed to have happened). Anyone know anymore details?
Posted by: tucenz
There were some 30 Ukrainians who wanted to move to the Russian controlled region. They were shelled in a well known area where people were waiting to cross the line (that crossing point has been open for a while.)
They were shelled and Ukraine claims, as always without evidence, that Russian forces did that.
If you believe that I have a bridge to sell you.

Posted by: b | Oct 1 2022 12:56 utc | 17

thanks b

Posted by: tucenz | Oct 1 2022 13:02 utc | 19

Posted by: b | Oct 1 2022 12:56 utc | 17

If you believe that I have a bridge to sell you.

These people believe the same people who made a living bombing bridges filled with civilians in Korea and Belgrade.
They’ve been sold, and bought, multiple bridges already, so go ahead.
– in memory of No Gun Ri
– in memory of Varvarin bridge

Posted by: Arch Bungle | Oct 1 2022 13:05 utc | 21

Been reading this blog for awhile Just wanted to comment on the Ukraine success. Give Ukraine credit where it is due. Earlier this year, Ukraine announced that they were preparing for summer offensive, they did just that. Once they started on the offense, the tables were turned on the Russians as there were simply not enough troops to defend such a large area. Hence the Kharkov area had to be abandoned and now Liman has fallen. The Russians were simply vastly outnumbered and were forced to withdraw. I believe these were phyrric victories but victories none the less. That being said, Russia will win this war. Annexing the regions was a game changer. After the regions are
formally part of Russia, hoping to see a “blitzkrieg” of sorts- all railroads disabled (should of been done months ago), decision making centers attacked, power selectively knocked out, etc. I still have full faith in the ability of the Russian armed forces to get the job done.

Posted by: ctiger | Oct 1 2022 13:06 utc | 23

Posted by: Snowflake | Oct 1 2022 13:06 utc | 24

instead of aggressive (troll?) behaviour!

Onoes! I’ve committed a microaggression!
So questioning the premise of your bullshit is now “aggressive troll behaviour”?
How about you answer the question and provide the source of your premise?

Posted by: Arch Bungle | Oct 1 2022 13:10 utc | 25

Posted by: Snowflake | Oct 1 2022 12:57 utc | 18
You’re very sensitive today. Did I hurt your feelings?

Posted by: Arch Bungle | Oct 1 2022 13:12 utc | 27

Listening to the U.S. Rep statement at the UNSC meeting on attack on Nord Stream pipeline making the point that deliberating targeting of civilian infrastructure is a no-no. (intolerable)
This childish human has no soul.
Actually, appears to me as what I would refer to as laughingstock.
What hope has humanity with such crude behavior as this cretin demonstrates? On the world stage no less.
Rejoice in this: catharsis will be therapeutic – globally.

Posted by: thecelticwithinme | Oct 1 2022 13:16 utc | 29

Arch Bungle
Because they are encircled – how are you supposed to get out of a circle? The russians are as encircled as the Azov fighters were in the Azovstal plant. We all know how that went for the azov fighters…
Now the russians have came into the same trap. Amazing incompetence.
Yesterday Donbass leader warned that Ukraine have very effective offensive against Liman but still Russia did nothing as usual! Humilation is not enough to describe this f-up invasion.
“Kiev deployed formidable force during its offensive, a top Donbass official has said ”
https://swentr.site/russia/563799-ukraine-half-encircles-liman/

Posted by: Zanon | Oct 1 2022 13:20 utc | 31

Posted by: Zanon | Oct 1 2022 13:11 utc | 28

A big win for the west/nato/us that of course will accurtately

If taking a deserted town of less than 15000 people, defended by 500 LPR/DPR militia and irregulars counts as a “big win” for NATO, then NATO is doomed.
A pretty lame consolation prize when Russia has grown by at least 10% in the space of 1 day!

Posted by: Arch Bungle | Oct 1 2022 13:20 utc | 33

The fall of Liman doesnt change anything with regards to the outcome of this war.
The Russian army terribly miscalculated how many forces they needed and dragged it on for months. War is a game of math, the Wehrmacht was never able to achieve victory over the Red Army after the Moscow offensive in late 1941, because USSR factories build more equipment that the Wehrmacht was never able to destroy. Western supporters of Ukraine did the calculation and understood that Ukraine had nummerical superiority, but lacked equipment. The West made up for it. With Russian mobilization, Ukraine wont have nummerical superiority very soon. Russia has the escalation dominance by far. Ukraine cant compete with the number of forces Russia can and will field.
Russian forces will hunker down for the next weeks, until the mobilized forces hit the frontline. Ukraine is using this window of opportunity to size as much territory as possible. When, not if, Russia has nummerical parity, or even superiority, if the keep mobilizing, it will steamroll Ukrainian forces in WW2 type offensives. Again, there is simply now way, Ukraine can match what Russia can and will field, short of NATO intervention.
It reminds me of the situation the German Empire was in after US entered the war officially on the side of the Entente in April, 1917. With each passing month, more and more US soldiers and equipment arrived in France that made it impossible to even fight for a draw. War is a game of numbers, nothing more.

Posted by: Arne Hartmann | Oct 1 2022 13:22 utc | 35

yes, it took a very long time for the russians to take control of mariupol after having surrounded it, but there is a crucial difference. ukraine had no way to break that encirclement. I don’t think the same is true for the russians in this case.

Posted by: salvo | Oct 1 2022 13:23 utc | 37

@Kamil #32, I was being sarcastic with “wunderwaffen” but Kinzhals are pretty impressive and while it is true that hypersonic speed isn’t by itself a selling point, air-launched ballistic missiles are a pretty rare and effective capability
@Arch Bungle #30, Lyman isn’t encircled (never was fully), it has been liberated. Seems like the garrison made a retreat under fire to Kreminna. Check the latest Rybar maps, and there is video of AFU raising the bicolor at the north and south edges of the town *with no gunfire or shelling audible*. Some mopping up is probably happening though.

Posted by: Yenwoda | Oct 1 2022 13:28 utc | 39

yes, a big part of german population, working class people, are the victims of a completely corrupt german PMC (politico-media-class), transatlantic elites who don’t care if people freeze to death as long as they save their careers.

Posted by: salvo | Oct 1 2022 13:29 utc | 41

Posted by: Snowflake | Oct 1 2022 13:22 utc | 36

But still – tell me what the Russians finest is? I realy want to know

When you tell me what your premise is based on, I’ll give you that information. Horse before cart.

Posted by: Arch Bungle | Oct 1 2022 13:31 utc | 43

Thread
Big Serge ☦️🇺🇸🇷🇺@witte_sergei
·
15h
The scale of Ukraine’s defeat at Lyman will become clear in the coming days. Unclear at this point how much they lost, but it is substantial.
Big Serge ☦️🇺🇸🇷🇺@witte_sergei
·
20m
Ukraine thought it was going to encircle “5,000 Russians” (never a realistic number, anyway), instead they took 3,000 casualties to break into an empty village and the whole Russian force is intact at a prepared line 2 miles away.
Big Serge ☦️🇺🇸🇷🇺@witte_sergei
·
13m
Ukrainian supporters were bragging for days about “encircling” the Russian garrison. This busted big time and it turned into a mass casualty event the other direction. Ukrainian insider channels are *not* celebrating.
Big Serge ☦️🇺🇸🇷🇺@witte_sergei
Anyway, let the Ukrainians celebrate losing thousands of men to capture a few ruins. Wait for the annexations to be ratified.
https://mobile.twitter.com/witte_sergei/status/1576203075408515072

Posted by: too scents | Oct 1 2022 13:37 utc | 45

The trouble with Russia’s political patience is that this is a war on social media. Everyone rushes to broadcast this or that immediate news in their favored venue to achieve their desired goal. So Liman can be an effort that held Ukrainian forces for almost three weeks (remember all the complaints about how slow Russia’s advances are, these seem forgotten when it’s Ukraine needing three weeks to take a small city), or it can be a massive defeat from which Russia will never recover.
Of course the reality is that in real wars where both sides fight, territory is gained and lost in ebbs and flows. In the not so distant past we wouldn’t even know about events for days or even weeks. We might not know at all unless one or both sides provided the information. Russian political leadership either does not understand the new information reality or simply doesn’t care about it. I assume some of both.
I’ve grown to be amused by telegram and blog comment histrionics from both sides. Every event is THE event. There’s 5K Russian troops surrounded or there was an orderly withdrawal but both are the end of the world. The Russian side is slightly better about developing a wholistic view of events, but in comparison to the Ukrainian side’s hard-on for the most obvious propaganda and the Russian doomers the bar is so low as to be pointless measurement tool.

Posted by: Lex | Oct 1 2022 13:40 utc | 47

It is quite clear. Russian army does not have enough soldiers.
Russians from Russia are afraid, they do not care for Russian in Ukraine.
On the other hand, Ukrainians are fanatics, full of hate, something like ISIS fighters. They are eager to die if they can kill Russians.
So, by trying to stay popular, Putin miscalculated.

Posted by: marko | Oct 1 2022 13:46 utc | 49

@47 too scents
‘Another overwhelming victory for Russian forces. Ukrainians crushed!’
Given all these victories and the number of times Ukrainians have been crushed, I’m amazed the conflict is still going on. Maybe it was all over last month and Russia forgot to tell anyone.

Posted by: Tom UK | Oct 1 2022 13:48 utc | 51

@Tom UK | Oct 1 2022 13:48 utc | 54
If you’re amazed now wait for February.

Posted by: too scents | Oct 1 2022 13:55 utc | 53

“The Confederation of European Business has raised the alarm over the energy crisis and skyrocketing cost of gas and electricity across Europe, which may lead to the closure of thousands of EU firms.
In an open letter to President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the business lobby warned on Thursday that “the current state of high gas and electricity prices bears the imminent risk of production losses and shutdowns of thousands of European companies.”
BusinessEurope also called on the EU to find an urgent solution in order to keep businesses up on their feet.”
Von der Leyen’s priorities appear to lie elsewhere.
“Ursula von der Leyen, Germany’s former Defense Minister, who is currently the President of the European Commission, insisted later on Thursday that European capitals should also provide the Kiev forces with battle tanks so they can better fight the Russian forces aiming to demilitarize the Donbas region of Ukraine. ”
“BusinessEurope has also warned some businesses are on the brink of collapse and some others are losing in terms of production and turnover.
“Estimates show that 70 percent of Europe’s fertilizer production has been shut or slowed down, while 50 percent of total aluminum capacity has been lost,” the business confederation said. “There is a real danger that businesses, and in particular energy-intensive industries, relocate outside of Europe permanently.””
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/09/29/690063/Businesses-warn-EU-over-shutdown-of-firms-due-to-energy-crisis

Posted by: Republicofscotland | Oct 1 2022 14:13 utc | 55

Reports that Peskov has announced ‘it has been decided to postpone the conscription to November 1’.
Seems the system is struggling to cope with the partial mobilisation.
Posted by: Tom UK | Oct 1 2022 14:06 utc | 59
What has conscription to do with partial mobilisation? Do you do this on purpose or do you have difficulties to understand what you type?

Posted by: Arne Hartmann | Oct 1 2022 14:30 utc | 57

A must read from Tom Luongo re: the pipeline sabotage and the overall big picture. He specifically mentions “Bernard” and MOA.
https://tomluongo.me/2022/09/29/the-curious-whodunit-of-nordstreams-1-and-2/

Posted by: morongobill | Oct 1 2022 14:30 utc | 59

aristodemos posting @927a.m. CST
Like a swarm of stirred-up hornets, the paid trolls are out in force this morning celebrating the last “victory” of the puppet regime’s forces, as Russian connected militias retreat from Krasny Liman under attack by numerous elements of the Ukie/Nato military power. No, it’s not the classical strategic retreat, but neither is it a rout.
From Alex Mercuouris’ blog yesterday, I learned that a huge number of the contract Russian troops had got their six months in and nobody was yet ready to replace them. That makes sense, as little wonder that the Ukies were finally able, with overwhelming numbers, to finally achieve their pyrrhic last chance “victory”, winning for some days, control over a minimally-defended Russian city.
These Trolls who swarmed this thread are not only fools working for blood-money. They are also guilty of crimes against humanity by gloating over the NATOstani puppets defeating a tiny but courageous opponent.

Posted by: aristodemos | Oct 1 2022 14:35 utc | 61

Norway to supply gas to Poland and Denmark, via the Baltic Sea, I fully expect this pipeline and others from Norway to supply more European nations over the years, unless of course the US decides to blow it up, or Russia decides a little bit of payback is in order, the Baltic sea in most part is controlled by Nato allies.
https://norwaytoday.info/finance/poland-pipeline-gas-norway/#:~:text=Poland%20is%20building%20a%20pipeline%20to%20collect%20gas,when%20Poland%E2%80%99s%20current%20contract%20with%20Russian%20Gazprom%20expires.

Posted by: Republicofscotland | Oct 1 2022 14:38 utc | 63

Joe Biden in my opinion saying look we know you know we blew up your pipelines with aid of other Nato terrorists, but hey you’d better not attack any Nato member or else, but if you want to you can do something really, really nasty to Ukraine as it isn’t a Nato member.
“US President Joe Biden appears to back off the defense of Ukraine, and draws red line at NATO’s border, saying that the United States and NATO would defend “every inch” of its territory if attacked by Russia. Ukraine is not part of NATO.
Speaking at the White House on Friday, Biden said the US and NATO will not be intimidated by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Putin is “not going to scare us,” he added.
Biden then pointed his finger into the television camera as he warned of Putin against any attack spilling beyond Ukraine onto NATO territory.
“America’s fully prepared, with our NATO allies, to defend every single inch of NATO territory,” he said. “Mr. Putin, don’t misunderstand what I’m saying: every inch.”
The US made it clear that this does not include Ukraine. Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Friday that now is the wrong time to consider Kiev’s NATO membership.”
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/09/30/690142/Biden-draws-red-line-for-Putin-at-NATO-s-border

Posted by: Republicofscotland | Oct 1 2022 14:43 utc | 65

Posted by: gottlieb | Oct 1 2022 14:20 utc | 61

The USA is Atlantis 2.0 which will sink under the waves of its own vainglory.

This, in essence, was Plato’s admonishment in Critias. It was directed at exactly the kind of power the USA would become:

… once upon a time, there was a mighty power based on an island in the Atlantic Ocean. This empire was called Atlantis, and it ruled over several other islands and parts of the continents of Africa and Europe.
Atlantis was arranged in concentric rings of alternating water and land. The soil was rich, said Critias, the engineers technically accomplished, the architecture extravagant with baths, harbor installations, and barracks. The central plain outside the city had canals and a magnificent irrigation system. Atlantis had kings and a civil administration, as well as an organized military. Their rituals matched Athens for bull-baiting, sacrifice, and prayer.
But then it waged an unprovoked imperialistic war on the remainder of Asia and Europe. When Atlantis attacked, Athens showed its excellence as the leader of the Greeks, the much smaller city-state the only power to stand against Atlantis.
Alone, Athens triumphed over the invading Atlantean forces, defeating the enemy, preventing the free from being enslaved, and freeing those who had been enslaved.
After the battle, there were violent earthquakes and floods, and Atlantis sank into the sea, and all the Athenian warriors were swallowed up by the earth.

When read in this way, Plato’s admonishment becomes a prophecy of the current Atlantic superpower waging war on Asia and Europe.
Well, there is no Athens anymore, but the ‘Athens’ of today which resides in Moscow, inherits much of it’s culture and even it’s alphabet …
History Repeats. No, it doesn’t just rhyme. It repeats.

Posted by: Arch Bungle | Oct 1 2022 14:48 utc | 67

If the troll brigade at the MoA bar is any indication today, the Russian SMO is proceeding forward in spite of the textual white noise claiming it is not.
But hey, you get paid for the propaganda, right or wrong, just like weather forecasters. My read of your “weather” is the opposite of your propaganda intentions
“Something is happening here and you don’t know what is it, do you Mr. Jones?”

Posted by: psychohistorian | Oct 1 2022 14:50 utc | 69

Posted by: Karim | Oct 1 2022 14:30 utc | 63
It starts to seem that that guy Strelkov has some points.
It reminds me that many overly-self-confident Russian officers are actually old soviet people looking for past greatness. Without a basis in reality. With an axe to grind. Not good enough to start a war.
I kind of knew this when I saw the nationalistic symbols deployed. Religious flags and other paraphenalia. Its a sign of weakness in narrative for me.
Russia may technically have the resources but in theory. It seems to me more and more that the Kremlin simply has forgotten to develop the tools to actually put that in place. Ideologically speaking they are right, but it is apparently not enough of a reward to sway people to actually fight for it. Why would any Russian fight for the ROW?
I think it was Machiavelli that said: there is nothing more difficult than putting a new system in place. One has fierce enemies in those determined to keep the old ways while only lukewarm supporters in those that may benefit from change.
The Kremlin has not prepared itself to enact change.

Posted by: alek_a | Oct 1 2022 14:55 utc | 71

@67 aristodemos
No one is getting paid, mate. It’s called having a different opinion.
The situation on the ground is what it is. Telling it as such isn’t gloating. Pretending up is down, or black is white is just being dishonest. Russian forces abandoned Lyman. How many remain trapped is unknown. How well the retreat from Lyman went is unknown. What you take from all this is up to you.

Posted by: Tom UK | Oct 1 2022 14:57 utc | 73

@4 Yenwoda
We must be reading different Slavyongrads, that channel has been predicting the fall of Lyman for a week, as have most of the pro-Russia channels I follow.

Posted by: Gordon | Oct 1 2022 15:02 utc | 75

I don’t think that Lyman is that important but these types of situations are propaganda disasters for the Russians because they constantly fall into this trap.

Posted by: Ranko | Oct 1 2022 15:12 utc | 77

LOL will you dumb denial dimwits accept what is going on now?
Liman is lost.

Russian forces withdraw from key Donbass city – military
The troops had to leave the city of Krasny Liman due to the threat of encirclement, Moscow has confirmed

https://swentr.site/russia/563866-krasny-liman-withdrawal-troops/
That is also proof that the ukrainian offensive that has been going on for months have not been stopped by Russia.
Why on earth not?! Russia could use aircraft easily, they could use missiles.
Who the hell run this war from the russian side?

Posted by: Zanon | Oct 1 2022 15:19 utc | 79

well, the question might be, should the russians be willing to sacrifice a larger number of their own soldiers for an unimportant spot on the map in order to satisfy the needs of uncritical media consumers as the ukrainian leaders and their western supportes are more than willing to do? It just proves how little the western “elites” value the lives of other people, esp. those who they are meant to protect.

Posted by: salvo | Oct 1 2022 15:21 utc | 81

@85 Ranko
Lyman is important in that it controls a major railway junction.

Posted by: Tom UK | Oct 1 2022 15:24 utc | 83

Kadyrov on retreat from Krasnyy Liman:

I’ve always said: there is nothing better than truth spoken outloud, be it bitter, offensive, but the truth. That is the only way to move forward. Therefore, I cannot remain silent about what happened in Krasnyy Liman.
The defense of this section was led by the commander of the Central Military District, Colonel-General Aleksandr Lapin. The same Lapin who received the star of the Hero of Russia for the capture of Lisichansk, even though de facto he wasn’t even close to being there. Lapin was also given command over troops of the Western Military District.
The Colonel-General deployed mobilized fighters from the LPR and other units on all frontiers of the Liman direction, but did not provide them with the necessary communications, interaction and the supply of ammunition. Two weeks ago, Major General, Commander of the Akhmat Special Forces, my dear BROTHER Apty Alaudinov personally reported to me that our fighters could become an easy target. In turn, I informed Valeriy Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, about the danger. But the General assured me that he had no doubts about Lapin’s leadership talent and did not believe that a retreat was possible in Krasnyy Liman and its environs.
A week later, Lapin moved his headquarters to Starobelsk, a hundred kilometers from his subordinates, while he himself sits in Lugansk. How is it possible to quickly manage units while being 150 km away from them? Due to the lack of elementary military logistics, today we have left several settlements and a large piece of territory.
It’s not a shame that Lapin is a mediocrity. What’s a shame is the fact that he is covered at the top by the leaders in the General Staff. If I had my way, I would have demoted Lapin to the rank of private, deprived him of his awards and, with a machine gun in his hands, sent him to the front lines to wash away his shame with blood.
Army nepotism will not lead to anything good. In the army, it is necessary to appoint people of a strong character, courageous, principled, who worry about their fighters, who tear with their teeth for their soldier, who know that a subordinate cannot be left without help and support. There is no place for nepotism in the army, especially in difficult times.
Wasn’t Izyum enough? Even then, I said: shoot at the enemy’s military concentration in the Izyum captured by the Nazis, especially since our artillery at that time had such an opportunity. They would have done away with the main Satanists and fascists at once. We must carry out the SMO in the full sense of the word, not play. Use every opportunity and every weapon to defend OUR territory. Donetsk is still being shelled. The residents of the 4 joined territories want to be protected.
I don’t know what the RF Ministry of Defense reports to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, but in my personal opinion, more drastic measures should be taken, up to a declaration of martial law in the border areas and use of low-yield nuclear weapons. We shouldn’t be taking every decision with an eye on the West/U.S community—it has already said and done a lot against us.
Yesterday there was a parade in Izyum, today a flag in Liman, and what tomorrow?
Everything would be great if it weren’t so bad.

Posted by: S | Oct 1 2022 15:28 utc | 85

Does anyone have information on whether one of the two Nord Stream pipes was not attacked and is still useable? I have found it weirdly difficult to find news on this, and it is important. Even one of the four Nord Stream pipes could make a big difference for Europe. I heard that a fourth hole was found. In the fourth pipe?

Posted by: TM | Oct 1 2022 15:32 utc | 87

Posted by: S | Oct 1 2022 15:28 utc | 92
Warrior people are a special class that you dont need most of the time but when called for you cant do without. They have a certain look at life that is different from many civilians.
I agree with everything except the nukes. If you need to use that, you have already lost.

Posted by: alek_a | Oct 1 2022 15:37 utc | 89

Posted by: Tom UK | Oct 1 2022 15:28 utc | 93
Actually, you did:

Seems the system is struggling to cope with the partial mobilisation.

I suggest medication for whatever dry drunks take for whatever kind of brain damage dry drunkery incurrs.

Posted by: Arch Bungle | Oct 1 2022 15:40 utc | 91

Re: Liman
I can see zero strategic or even tactical value in this town right now or in the foreseeable future.
Nor was there any indication that there was a substantial Russian or LDPR/Rosguardia force there.
What it looks like to me is Ukrainians running into a rain of artillery shells so Zelensky can post a triumphal Tweet. It would not surprise me if the AFUnsuffered multiples of casualties vs the entire garrison in Liman – which appears to then have withdrawn.

Posted by: c1ue | Oct 1 2022 15:45 utc | 93

This is in response to anyone yelling about Russia’s failure to do this that or the other thing. Or that Russia is incompetent compared to the West. Maybe if certain posters feel that way about reality, best to post on sites that support US propaganda. I’ve taken a look at some of those sites and read that perspective, and yours will fit right in!
Not knowing anything about Russia’s military capabilities, I don’t see how it’s possible in any alternate reality not to comprehend that if Russia were determined to flatten Ukraine tomorrow, Russia certainly would. But thanks goodness, Russia doesn’t go that horrific route. As the West appears to do over and over in the past decades.
I think the real question would be, why doesn’t Russia do that tomorrow? And despair or attempt influence the rest of us, that Russia should feel free to go ahead and do so.
I guess if you want to inflict horror and suffering on earth, keep at it! Certainly doing a good job to date!

Posted by: Geoff | Oct 1 2022 15:46 utc | 95

morongobill @ 64
The Luongo article you posted is a great read. I could quibble with several points but won’t here. The game within US has become quite complex. We basically do not have a President. Multiple independent silos exercising power, sometimes in parallel and sometimes divergently. In long run this is disaster, in short run it is just the kind of chaos some players imagine they can leverage.
Will note that Jake Sullivan has gone from being an unknown in the background to facing cameras and speaking to press. Sullivan is Hillary.

Posted by: oldhippie | Oct 1 2022 15:51 utc | 97

@S #90
Thank you for posting the Kadyrov statement.
Looks like another example of a tactical level leader that’s commenting in things way over his head – much like Strelkov.

Posted by: c1ue | Oct 1 2022 15:52 utc | 99