Ukraine - Iovi Snubs Bovi - Huffy Bovi Moos Back
From hero to zero:
- China snubs Zelenskyy in Switzerland - Politico, Jan 17, 2024 - 13:45 UTC
DAVOS, Switzerland — Ukrainian leaders made no secret of wanting to meet with Chinese officials in Switzerland this week but President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has headed home without the desired encounter in a blow to Kyiv.
China’s delegation in Switzerland had ample opportunity to sit across from their Ukrainian counterparts, whether in Bern or at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Any meeting would have satisfied a long-standing hope in Kyiv to hold frank, in-person discussions with senior officials from Beijing. Just before a multi-nation peace summit in the Swiss Alps, Ukraine’s presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak said it was imperative for China to join peace talks and hinted that Zelenskyy would have an opportunity to chat with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
In the end, Ukraine made no headway on getting China to commit to negotiations, and Zelenskyy and Li failed to speak.
- Chinese PM not on my level – Zelensky - RT, Jan 17 2024 - 18:46 UTC
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky claimed on Wednesday that he had not actually sought to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the World Economic Forum (WEF) gathering in Davos this week. The remarks come amid media reports that China’s top official shot down Zelensky’s request for a meeting at the event.
The Premier is not the person calling the shots in China, Zelensky asserted, suggesting Li was not a high enough official to be worth meeting altogether.
“There is a Chinese Premier – then our prime minister will meet with him. I would love to meet with the leader of China. As far as I know, [in China] Xi Jinping makes decisions, and in Ukraine, I make decisions. I don’t need just any dialogues; I need important decisions from the leaders who make these decisions,” Zelensky stated.
The snub from Zelensky comes amid media reports suggesting the Ukrainian president actually wanted to meet Li at the forum, but the request was shot down by the Chinese side. Thus far, Beijing has not commented on the prospect of any high-profile meetings with the Ukrainian leadership or responded to Zelensky’s remarks.
The shameful (for Zelenski) episode is only a part of the bigger picture:
- The War in Ukraine Has Become a Peripheral Concern for the West - Carnegie Endowment, Jan 17, 2024
As perceptions of the war have evolved, so has the image of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Until recently, it was almost impossible to imagine any article criticizing Zelensky, whose face graced the front covers of the world’s biggest magazines and newspapers.
...
As the Ukrainian war increasingly becomes seen as a small, peripheral war, however, the world’s view of Zelensky has also changed. He’s still a hero, just a distant one: someone else’s hero.The power of the Zelensky effect has also weakened. When the leader of a country under attack leaves to give a speech to a foreign parliament—still wearing military fatigues—he gets a standing ovation and promises of support. The second, third, and fourth time he does it, the effect is not the same.
In addition, political heroism has another, more dangerous dimension. From being a hero and savior, Zelensky risks becoming the man who ordered others to their deaths. The mobilization that helped Ukraine to survive in 2022, and even allowed it to retake territory, is now seen by some as the reason they lost their loved ones.
Now the reduction in the intensity of hostilities in Ukraine is weakening the arguments of those calling for a big push to achieve peace. Instead, the aggression seems to be ending of its own accord.
Posted by b on January 18, 2024 at 8:37 UTC | Permalink
next page »Lol thanks b, just posted on both previous, so something different here.
The green screen king of natzios has refused to ever meet Putin but expects to meet anyone else? He doesn’t quite get ancient civilised diplomatic protocol does he?
What a rabid , coarse, rough voiced , whore of a man.
There’s a lamppost somewhere with il Duces fate for him and Yermak and co.
His task is nearly done when he has fed the child bearing aged women into the mincer.
Then he will be on the run, always looking over his shoulder, won’t be for long.
Posted by: DunGroanin | Jan 18 2024 8:51 utc | 2
A company consisting of women appeared at the positions of the Ukrainian army on the Kremen sector of the front, a special forces soldier “Akhmat” with the call sign Hades said in an interview with RIA Novosti.“They have now launched the 111th territorial defense brigade, “Azov” * - help came to the 12th SPN brigade. Many different people come in <...> The most surprising thing is, of course, a women’s company entered the “swamp”, consisting exclusively of women," said Hades.
According to him, the women's unit, presumably consisting of volunteers, is called K-2 and belongs to the 54th brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
“We haven’t encountered anything like this before, of course. We thought maybe there were acoustic traps, maybe it seemed (that voices were being heard - editor’s note), and then we listened to radio interceptions, and yes, there are women standing there,” the fighter explained.
He clarified that women in this sector of the front serve as UAV operators and snipers.
“Well, they are good UAV specialists <...> It’s hard to evaluate sniper work, so far we are “corresponding” with them using sniper shots, using UAVs, and artillery. Well, when we go on the assault, we’ll see how they behave,” - added the agency's interlocutor.
In October, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense announced that over the past two years the number of female military personnel has increased by 40 percent, or by 12 thousand, and now almost 43 thousand of them are serving in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Moreover, if previously a contract for military service could be concluded with women aged 18 to 40 years, now - up to 60 years, as well as with men. In addition, in 2019, the Ukrainian government allowed girls to enroll in military lyceums.
https://t.me/geromanat/17990
Posted by: Down South | Jan 18 2024 9:54 utc | 4
Piano Z , wanted a full orchestra not a mere accompanist . But what got him Davos Delusion , was that they never let him hedge all those USD into a Yuan swap . A property for mother in law or indeed a ‘membership ‘ for the Rockefeller ‘club ‘ in Shanghai - ! A book end for Florida , and the other lucre . Because he converted to Catholicism , he forgot , they remember , the ‘Architects ‘ of delusion .
Posted by: Paleologos | Jan 18 2024 10:04 utc | 5
It's hard to know who is more pathetic at Davos, that sad little Z or those billionaires giving him rock star treatment. Good riddance to them all.
Posted by: Nick J | Jan 18 2024 10:14 utc | 6
Even without an election Zelensky’s term comes to an end 31 March 2024. Power is then supposed to transfer to the Speaker.
I think the West is going to go through the motions until then. It’s the cleanest way to rid themselves of him.
Posted by: Down South | Jan 18 2024 10:23 utc | 7
This small premier not fit for Elensky was personally plucked from Shanghai and given a Politburo seat over many other more senior govt officials and given Premiership by Xi himself. He's being groomed to take over Xi!
Posted by: Surferket | Jan 18 2024 10:23 utc | 8
no other open thread...b maybe
check out rt article Habeck v afd
In light of this perceived threat, Germany’s security services should be more actively “gathering evidence [and] closely watching structures, individual persons, meetings and statements.”
Habeck says afd is wanting a fascist state just like Russia is....afd is banned in Saxony as an extremist group...is attacking tne republic.
wow sounds like potential for civil strife is growing but at what rate??
Sputnik article has article that Germany supplying arms to Ukraine outside EU common defense "peace " funding arrangements.. is heading to Germany going awol? Any chance of a post re these matters?
Posted by: Jo | Jan 18 2024 10:27 utc | 9
Forgot , last Hellene was not Plethon , but Kapodistria (s) . A sweet thing , because the , real , real REAL SWISS KNOW HIM , as Dad . Not , and not those fools visiting their accountants vaults to buy another, secret bonk watch . I’m just an idiot , quite ancient , that got invaded , but still mysteriously, kept my loot ! Sorry B … love ya Agora of fate !
Posted by: Paleologos | Jan 18 2024 10:28 utc | 10
What's with the WEF anyway. Why are they allowed ANY time and space in public life? Why are high officials - such as the unelected "Ms Germany Genocide" - allowed there to speak? (Though it's certainly a good opportunity to show how much of an enemy and serious issue the European Commission is to democracy, rights and freedoms.)
Posted by: Zed'sDead | Jan 18 2024 10:41 utc | 11
headed home without the desired encounter in a blow to Kyiv.
Maybe "the blow to Kyiv" is an expression of a world view created as a result of forcing the SMO in Ukraine.
Can Propaganda suppress true expression..?
How will the press handle this obvious snub?
but maybe too it is an expression of anger over the concern that China may sooner than later be forced into a kyiv situation?
Posted by: snake | Jan 18 2024 11:21 utc | 12
I'm with Zed'sDead.
What on earth are politicians doing on a World Economic Forum?
Is it a World Political Forum now?
Posted by: MrUmbrella | Jan 18 2024 11:41 utc | 13
To answer kerdasi amaq, my vote goes to Volodomor,
as a cross between Volodomyr, Holodomor and you know who.
Posted by: MrUmbrella | Jan 18 2024 11:45 utc | 14
In the region I live TV and newspapers still are toeing the official NATO line about the war between the Ukraine and Russia.
Posted by: WMG | Jan 18 2024 11:50 utc | 15
Elensky needs to return to the stage. I’m sure he could get a role in some stupid Hollywood sit-com.
The dude is beyond deluded.
Posted by: OldFart | Jan 18 2024 11:53 utc | 16
What on earth are politicians doing on a World Economic Forum?
Posted by: MrUmbrella | Jan 18 2024 11:41 utc | 13
---
Selling.
Posted by: too scents | Jan 18 2024 11:56 utc | 17
"Now the reduction in the intensity of hostilities in Ukraine is weakening the arguments of those calling for a big push to achieve peace. Instead, the aggression seems to be ending of its own accord."
Is that going to be the way that they memory hole the entire episode? Just stop reporting Russian victories and pretend that the conflict is not a thing anymore?
Posted by: Biswapriya Purkayast | Jan 18 2024 13:15 utc | 18
MrUmbrella 14
Q: What on earth are politicians doing on a World Economic Forum?
A: Fascism (the merger of private corporations and the state) is a popular global brand.
Posted by: CitizenKayne | Jan 18 2024 13:30 utc | 19
MrUmbrella 14
Q: What on earth are politicians doing on a World Economic Forum?
A: Fascism (the merger of private corporations and the state) is a popular global brand.
Posted by: CitizenKayne | Jan 18 2024 13:30 utc | 19
Well answered!!!
Is that going to be the way that they memory hole the entire episode? Just stop reporting Russian victories and pretend that the conflict is not a thing anymore?
Posted by: Biswapriya Purkayast | Jan 18 2024 13:15 utc | 18
Well, they cannot spin away a general ukrainian collapse (still many months away) but that would be a hot potato for just few weeks anyway.
After that the "Brave ukrainians bled Russia dry, now do your duty: Believe, Obey, Fight (the last one sort of)" narrative practically writes itself.
Posted by: Satepestage | Jan 18 2024 13:45 utc | 21
Our sources in the OP said that Zelensky’s trip to Davos was a complete failure, all loud statements were made for the domestic political track, without real results in the international arena.It is increasingly difficult for the Office of the President to organize meetings with top officials of world leaders, and the Ukrainian peace formula is ignored by the Global South and Asian countries.
A complete diplomatic failure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was the attempt to organize a meeting with the Prime Minister of China and Zelensky’s reflection on refusal.
https://t.me/rezident_ua/21240
Posted by: Down South | Jan 18 2024 13:45 utc | 22
MrUmbrella | Jan 18 2024 11:41 utc | 13
*** What on earth are politicians doing on a World Economic Forum?
Is it a World Political Forum now?***
It is the would-be Global Government consistent with corporate-bought totalitarian ravings by the unhinged zio-squit now pretending to be President of Argentina.
So politicians flock there to trough, ingratiate and get further orders.
Posted by: Cynic | Jan 18 2024 13:46 utc | 23
Wouldn’t the Mayor of Harbin be more on Zelensky’s level?
Posted by: Cato the Uncensored | Jan 18 2024 13:55 utc | 24
In addition, political heroism has another, more dangerous dimension. From being a hero and savior, Zelensky risks becoming the man who ordered others to their deaths. The mobilization that helped Ukraine to survive in 2022, and even allowed it to retake territory, is now seen by some as the reason they lost their loved ones.Now the reduction in the intensity of hostilities in Ukraine is weakening the arguments of those calling for a big push to achieve peace. Instead, the aggression seems to be ending of its own accord.
Posted by b on January 18, 2024 at 8:37 UTC | Permalink.
No matter how heady things get, in the end the People, ordinary human beings leading lives, matter and the high and mighty are always tethered to them.
Baunov makes many lamentable statements in his CEIP article.
For one, the Russia-Ukraine conflict is not comparable to the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s. The latter was a series of localized armed conflicts triggered by the break-up of a small multi-national state. Russia-Ukraine, by contrast, is a major war of historical consequence, as the outcome will impact the worldwide balance of power.
Also, Baunov errs in describing the Russian-Ukraine war as a "local conflict on the edge of Europe triggered by a slow motion imperial collapse." In truth, the war is fallout from US/NATO's ambition of expanding its power deep into the former Soviet space.
Specifically, US/NATO is trying to turn Ukraine into a political and military proxy, a gambit which gravely threatens Russia's vital national interests, including security. Therefore Russia had few real options other than launching war to protect itself.
Finally, Baunov's claims that the Ukraine war might cause WW3 or lead to the Russian army attacking European countries is patently dishonest. I'm sure he knows that Russia doesn't have the will or resources to invade Europe, and that if the war escalates into a broader conflict, it will be because US./NATO chose to do so.
If anything, worldwide peace would benefit from a Russian military victory over the Ukraine/US/NATO coalition, as the West would be humbled by defeat and therefore less likely to start wars in the future.
Posted by: GW | Jan 18 2024 14:19 utc | 26
Will someone please put Zelenskyy out of my misery?
Posted by: Sentient | Jan 18 2024 14:29 utc | 27
"If anything, worldwide peace would benefit from a Russian military victory over the Ukraine/US/NATO coalition, as the West would be humbled by defeat and therefore less likely to start wars in the future."
Posted by: GW | Jan 18 2024 14:19 utc | 26
I agree with most of your post but not this last part.
The West, or rather Western Elites, didn't learn from their failures in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan I don't see them stopping when Ukraine war is lost.
The only thing that will stop the West from executing Imperial conquests would be economic collapse (which seems likely if trends continue) and/or citizens rebelling and throwing the scumbags out.
The event is B/S. Conducted for the purpose of smoozing - be seen with important people, feel important talking to important people, they will want to grant favors to feel more important.
So Z wanted to smooze.
Practically speaking, it could be a zoom meeting.
Except that doesn't work for the hookers.
Why is any of this noteworthy?
Are we really so insecure that we have to worry if "China" holds a conversation with others and then we cheer when they refuse to have that conversation?
Posted by: jared | Jan 18 2024 14:53 utc | 29
Posted by: GW | Jan 18 2024 14:19 utc | 26
Gonzalo Lira had a very good comprehensive video focusing especially on US / Victoria Nuland role in Ukraine.
Long story short, Victoria Nuland has basically been the president of Ukraine since 2014.
Victoria Nuland's grandparents had traumatic events in their life, as they were jews who supposedly ran from Bessarabia from Russian pogroms in 1907. These traumatic events have been passed on to children, which is why Victoria Nuland is a psychopath and her personal motivation of hating Russia.
What is also noteworthy was, again, long story short, Ukraine was in the same boat as Russia in 1990s. US had a field day in the 90s when they could rip off Russia however they wanted. Then they suddenly realized that 'Putin wasn't their guy' sometime around 2012.
While Russia had a bad decade filled with western related corruption who made lot of rich oligarchs ripping the country off, Ukraine had bad 3 decades. So Russia would be Ukraine today, if it weren't for Putin.
This video could be what got Gonzalo killed through no help from US govt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzR---YDDIQ
Posted by: unimperator | Jan 18 2024 14:59 utc | 30
Mercouris proposes that possibly the Russian planes were downed (I have not heard how) with assistance by NATO surveillance assets and manpower and that this seems something of a dangerous escalation.
Posted by: jared | Jan 18 2024 14:59 utc | 31
Mercouris proposes that possibly the Russian planes were downed (I have not heard how) with assistance by NATO surveillance assets and manpower and that this seems something of a dangerous escalation.
Posted by: jared | Jan 18 2024 14:59 utc | 31
.
.
Now we'll hear about it when the first big drone falls into the water over the Black Sea...
BUT :
Will Putin allow himself to be provoked into this?
Or whether he strikes back in Syria where Russia still has air sovereignty!
Posted by: ossi | Jan 18 2024 15:37 utc | 32
ZATO is getting desperate now. Someone persuaded Anders Fogh Rassmussen to blather about Russia /Ukraine a couple of days ago and tried to make it sound like News.
The trouble with ZATO allies is that if their mouths are moving their ears stop working.
Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Jan 18 2024 15:51 utc | 33
Whenever I read a piece about the heroic leader V.Z. here, I now hear the sound of Benny Hill music playing in the background… seems the appropriate soundtrack
Posted by: DrWho | Jan 18 2024 15:56 utc | 34
And as usual western media equate the same dozen or so countries with "The World" and just as predictably declare a war to be irrelevant and peripheral they can't deny that they lost anymore.
Posted by: Snailslime | Jan 18 2024 15:57 utc | 35
Posted by: ossi | Jan 18 2024 15:37 utc | 32
Putin would do well to test those new anti-ship missiles around Yemen. So far there's been lack of test subjects in the Black Sea.
Posted by: unimperator | Jan 18 2024 15:58 utc | 36
@ Posted by: ossi | Jan 18 2024 15:37 utc | 32
Well, it is frustrating, but
I think the best, first response is to try to ensure that it will not happen again.
Russia cannot get caught-up in always reacting to what happens - needs to focus on planning and achieving objectives (on schedule and on budget).
It does need to keep it's people (and supporters) motivated and optimistic. Hiding facts and distorting events (beyond what is necessary for military purposes) will create doubts - a self-assured and brave combatant does not worry about minor events. Is my thinking.
Posted by: jared | Jan 18 2024 16:00 utc | 37
Yeah, I guess Chinese Premier Li Qiang isn’t important enough to meet with a guy who can play the piano with his penis..?
Posted by: Eddie S | Jan 18 2024 16:02 utc | 38
And as usual western media equate the same dozen or so countries with "The World" and just as predictably declare a war to be irrelevant and peripheral they can't deny that they lost anymore.
Posted by: Snailslime | Jan 18 2024 15:57 utc | 35
.
.
Correct
Nobody mentions that THE WEST is only about 14.3% of the world's population!
And therefore including Australia, 34 countries, 12 of which are under clear pressure from the USA or EU!!!
Posted by: ossi | Jan 18 2024 16:06 utc | 39
Posted by: unimperator | Jan 18 2024 14:59 utc | 30
Gonzalo Lira had a very good comprehensive video focusing especially on US / Victoria Nuland role in Ukraine.
Nuland and Chrystia "Frida" Freeland are prime examples of people in high positions of power who are driven by - as Lira puts it- historical family grievances, to the point of obsession. Both majored in - wait for it - Russian Literature! And both went on to live and work in either Russia or Ukraine in some capacity for the "foreign service" after they left school. Pure ideologues. They were groomed by the State Dept early, and they did it willingly. Freeland was doing all kinds of "USAID" type meddling during her time "studying Ukrainian" in Kiev in the late 80s (she already spoke the language fluently). Same w/ Nuland, working at the embassy in Moscow in the early 90s. Russia knows exactly who these people are, and it made me happy to hear Putin publicly state that the current administration in the US is not capable of negotiation. Best to go about your business and avoid negotiating w/ these snakes.
Posted by: Frank McGar | Jan 18 2024 16:07 utc | 40
"Instead, the aggression seems to be ending of its own accord." - Carnie Endholement
No, the aggression is ending because Russia stepped in to stop it.
Posted by: Figleaf23 | Jan 18 2024 16:07 utc | 41
Addendum:
Wrong...actually EVERYONE is acting under pressure from the USA!
But they themselves undermine the sanctions you demand from others. Oil / uranium, for example
Posted by: ossi | Jan 18 2024 16:08 utc | 42
@ Posted by: unimperator | Jan 18 2024 15:58 utc | 36
It seems that Russia is being careful to not get drawn into other conflicts - it is fully engaged in the matter in Ukraine.
If they are successful in building-up their economy and production capacity (as it appears) they may be able to expand sphere of influence. But I think they have good work to do in Russia to keep them busy for some decades.
That which does not destroy us makes us stronger (speaking vicariously).
Posted by: jared | Jan 18 2024 16:13 utc | 43
The French ambassador was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry after the destruction of the site of foreign fighters in Kharkov, including around 54 Frenchmen, the official representative of the Foreign Ministry Zakharova told RIA Novosti
It is believed that this represents direct involvement in the war, also because the majority of the dead wore original French uniforms and equipment
(report from Frontvogel)
Posted by: ossi | Jan 18 2024 16:16 utc | 44
It is typical of the inexperienced, but arrogant leader like Zelensky to make the faux pas like the one he made with the Chinese Prime Minister.
It's not only the lack of respect for the man. It is the arrogance of saying "I am the one who makes the decisions".
Childishly stupid.
I bet Yermak was peeved, too.
Posted by: Augusto Pi | Jan 18 2024 16:26 utc | 45
Wouldn’t the Mayor of Harbin be more on Zelensky’s level?
Posted by: Cato the Uncensored | Jan 18 2024 13:55 utc | 24
Umm no. The Mayor of Harbin has a PhD in Civil Engineering, and doesnt play the piano.
Posted by: Gubicobi | Jan 18 2024 16:28 utc | 46
Besides remark
Watch the price of gold...
"A stock market guru once told me that"
Why: Because people who can afford it save their values in gold in times of crisis or in times when wars become foreseeable.
And as everyone should know, those who can afford it are usually in suffering positions.
Or in such offices where there may be other information.
the ounce is currently at a high of $2,034
The average gold price in 1995 was $384.04 per troy ounce
During the gold price explosion in 1980 it was only at $560.
Ergo: Either states buy gold (in anticipation of Brix) or in anticipation of confiscating Russian assets...which would put the end to the dollar and the trust in it.
Posted by: beobachter | Jan 18 2024 16:30 utc | 47
@Will someone please put Zelenskyy out of my misery?
Posted by: Sentient | Jan 18 2024 14:29 utc | 27
Don't worry, his fate, at best, will be similar to the other nato clown, the Georgian president and Odessa governor: mental asylum. But that won't change the zombie status of Ukr, the smo is too weak and badly managed. The future will be like this: 3-6 months FR and UK provide missiles and drones, 3-6 months US and others, like SK, then repeat. The country is controlled by nato since Maidan and its troops already present in large number, while Gerasimov artillery duels in the same place he was two years ago. What does Russia do when they find at >80 French soldiers in a single location? Complains some more (tass.com/politics/1734321), like a third world country
Posted by: rk | Jan 18 2024 16:36 utc | 48
What does Russia do when they find at >80 French soldiers in a single location? Complains some more (tass.com/politics/1734321), like a third world country
Posted by: rk | Jan 18 2024 16:36 utc | 48
Those mercenaries have been denazified, and the french ambassadorwhatever has been called, like its standard protocol.
I dont see any whining in those actions, so please enloghten us.
Posted by: Justpassinby | Jan 18 2024 16:51 utc | 49
thanks b... everything zelensky does at this point is shameful and worse.. he's a useful tool for the west and ukraines worst enemy...
Posted by: james | Jan 18 2024 16:53 utc | 50
@48 rk - assuming Dima and others are right, Russia did a bit more than complain. There are a lot of dead Frenchies out of those 80 with the rest in hospitals.
I get the larger point I think you're trying to make, though. No consequences for France and NATO other than some "plausibly deniable" assets turned into worm food.
Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Jan 18 2024 16:53 utc | 51
Logical to add a cheap booster rocket to extend the stand-off range of glide bombs as this translates directly into increased safety of the delivery aircraft.
https://t.me/milinfolive/114587
At the same time, the greatest threat among others is the Hammer 1000 variant, presented in 2022, and for which the French were developing a new propulsion system that actually turns the bomb into a missile with a flight range of 150-200 km, which is a conceptual analogue of the Russian “bomb missile” 9- A-7759 "Thunder".The degree of operational readiness of this ammunition is unknown, but the possibility of its test appearance in the hands of the Ukrainian Armed Forces for testing in real combat cannot be ruled out.
At the moment there is an issue with the carrier of this ammunition in the ranks of the Armed Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. However, in connection with the previously successful integration of Storm Shadow missiles (SCALP-EG) on the Su-24M by French specialists in just a few weeks, it is possible that they will also be integrated into this bomber, and lighter versions can also be installed on MiG-29 fighters. following the example of JDAM-ER.
It is also known about test launches of AASM Hammer from F-16 fighters, which in the future will be delivered to Ukraine and can also act as carriers.
… The tail of the kit, called Range Extension Kit (REK), can be equipped with a solid fuel engine …
Posted by: anon2020 | Jan 18 2024 17:18 utc | 52
Logical to add a cheap booster rocket to extend the stand-off range of glide bombs as this translates directly into increased safety of the delivery aircraft.
https://t.me/milinfolive/114587
At the same time, the greatest threat among others is the Hammer 1000 variant, presented in 2022, and for which the French were developing a new propulsion system that actually turns the bomb into a missile with a flight range of 150-200 km, which is a conceptual analogue of the Russian “bomb missile” 9- A-7759 "Thunder".The degree of operational readiness of this ammunition is unknown, but the possibility of its test appearance in the hands of the Ukrainian Armed Forces for testing in real combat cannot be ruled out.
At the moment there is an issue with the carrier of this ammunition in the ranks of the Armed Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. However, in connection with the previously successful integration of Storm Shadow missiles (SCALP-EG) on the Su-24M by French specialists in just a few weeks, it is possible that they will also be integrated into this bomber, and lighter versions can also be installed on MiG-29 fighters. following the example of JDAM-ER.
It is also known about test launches of AASM Hammer from F-16 fighters, which in the future will be delivered to Ukraine and can also act as carriers.
… The tail of the kit, called Range Extension Kit (REK), can be equipped with a solid fuel engine …
Posted by: anon2020 | Jan 18 2024 17:19 utc | 53
Z's attack on Li is just astonishing. He clearly had time to think and reflect. How are such fools allowed to run things???!!!
Everyone always calls Trump a clown, but FFS he at least could show proper respect and was, by every foreign power, treated with proper respect, if not over the top respect. Who's the actual clown these days??
Consider even on the CAMPAIGN trail, Trump's attacks on China. Even when going nuts on them for trade, etc., he would always say, I don't blame the Chinese, they are smart, they are doing what's best for them, I blame OUR stupid politicians for allowing all these crappy deals.
Even when he was going off on China, he was ACTUALLY PRAISING THEIR INTELLIGENCE, which is a huge sign of respect and face-saving. It was proper criticism and the Chinese understand politics.
This is just retarded by Z. As is the total disrespect shown China by many of our "leaders". I'm aghast at this diplomatic incompetence.
Posted by: Johnny | Jan 18 2024 17:23 utc | 54
Girkin/Strelkov
https://tass.ru/proisshestviya/19762173
Posted by: Oberbayer | Jan 18 2024 17:27 utc | 55
It’ll be interesting to see how this develops because it’s my understanding from TG posts that RF has allowed maritime trade through Odessa to resume to significant levels.
https://t.me/milinfolive/114612
A final solution to the Transnistrian issue is planned for 2024. If last year Baku closed the issue with Karabakh by liquidating the NKR, then this year Chisinau should close the issue with Transnistria by liquidating the PMR. Maia Sandu has no other choice: in the autumn there will be presidential elections in Moldova, in which she, with her radical Romanianism and Westernism, loses in the second round to any of the candidates. She needs to go all in to either get re-elected or make sure that even after her defeat, the country's course away from the post-Soviet space towards NATO and Romania will be irreversible.And to do this, it is necessary to destroy the status quo in the Transnistrian conflict and seize the left bank of the Dniester.
At the same time, Sandu is afraid to fight. For two years she maneuvered and wriggled like a snake, dodging the persistent proposals of the Kyiv allies to “fuck Transnistria.” There is an understanding that given the prohibitive level of unpopularity of the Sandu regime on the right bank (less than 20% rating of the president and her party, more than half of the population is against the renunciation of Moldovan identity and military neutrality, only 4% want to join Romania), a new war in Transnistria will not destroy only the PMR, but also the whole of Moldova.
Therefore, the tactics of economic strangulation were chosen. Since the new year, protective duties have been introduced for Pridnestrovian products, which in the next few months can bankrupt the economy of the PMR. Since the times of the Moldavian SSR, industry and other non-agricultural production has been concentrated on the left bank of the Dniester, and Moldavian customs is now de facto destroying this production. Transnistrian products will accumulate in warehouses or simply cease to be produced.
At the same time, Ukraine, after Sandu’s meeting with Zelensky, closed the border with the PMR and does not allow cargo to enter Transnistria. Chisinau consistently limits the list of products allowed for import into uncontrolled territory and does not allow essential goods, including medicines, to enter the left bank.
Simply put, there is a blockade of Transnistria. The goal is that by the presidential elections in Moldova, the PMR must capitulate and announce its dissolution. Will it work out - a good question for experts. I’ll say offhand that the experience of blockades from Leningrad and West Berlin to the Kaliningrad region these days shows that blockade survivors do not give up.
Then just fight
Posted by: anon2020 | Jan 18 2024 17:32 utc | 56
@ Posted by: Augusto Pi | Jan 18 2024 16:26 utc | 45
That is the interesting aspect - his behavior is so inapproprite.
Why was he at the event?
Why does he seem to go around pleading openly for assistance in this manner?
What gives him this apparent sense of entitlement - were promises made on which he feels he can make claims?
Is he trying to embarrass them by embarrassing himself?
I start to wonder if he feels a bargain is not being kept - in which case it may get interesting what will be his response to that breaking of the deal.
Also his people must grow tired of being humiliated in this manner.
Was this the last straw or does he even have a say in the matter of what happens now?
Posted by: jared | Jan 18 2024 17:34 utc | 57
What on earth are politicians doing on a World Economic Forum?
Posted by: MrUmbrella | Jan 18 2024 11:41 utc | 13
Looking for the highest bidder.
Posted by: RJPJR | Jan 18 2024 17:43 utc | 58
Medvedev is messaging in a recent Telegraph posting. He insists that there should be no more Ukraine, but those lands (presumably with the exception of Galicia) returning to the status of becoming part of "historical Russia". Kiev, after all is the mother city of Russia, dating back to the times of the Kievan Rus.
Perhaps his statement is a trial-balloon or maybe it's policy in utero. The logical uptake is that perspectives may be hardening within the inner circles of the Kremlin. Something worth further observation, for sure.
Posted by: aristodemos | Jan 18 2024 17:52 utc | 59
Why is zelenskiy beeing toured at every major global, or rather western, event?
He plays the victim. Thats his purpose. As the face of ukraine, an ugly one at that, his job is to be visible at all times, to show the resolve the ukraine has. The support it receives from the small wef clique. In order to get non-compliant nations on board.
This is classic narcissistic behaviour from our western values.
“i am opressed, pay attention!“ “he hurts me!“ “please send us money or we will get evicted!“
Scammer. Narcissist.
Thats why he is allowed everywhere in the west. Form consensus.
Posted by: Justpassinby | Jan 18 2024 17:56 utc | 60
unimperator@1459
"Nuland" is one of those Khazarian name-changers. Her not so elegant familial surname is Nudelman. So my alternative name for that bitch is Viccious Nudelman. No respect whatsoever for that evil woman.
Posted by: aristodemos | Jan 18 2024 17:58 utc | 61
Lawrow Rede heute :
.
Russia's friends and the negotiations with Kiev. What Lavrov spoke about at the press conference
Russia's goal in 2024 is to free itself from all dependence on the West. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said this at the press conference on the results of Russian diplomacy in 2023.
The Russian Foreign Minister dispelled rumors about supposedly imminent direct negotiations between Moscow and Kiev and also listed the countries that belong to “Russia's inner circle.”
TASS has compiled Lavrov's most important statements.
About Russia's friends
Russia's relations with China are experiencing the best period in their centuries-long history. “These relations are stronger, more reliable and more progressive than a military alliance in its previous understanding of the Cold War era.” “In all cases, the interests of Russia and China have been brought to a common denominator through negotiations and this is a model for the solution of each Problems for all other participants in global relations.”
Relations of particularly privileged cooperation with India are developing gradually. Russia is also in the process of bringing relations with African countries to a truly strategic level and expanding relations with the Latin American continent. Russia's inner circle includes Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
About the BRICS
Around 30 countries are interested in rapprochement with the BRICS. The organization has a great future. As a supra-regional global structure, the BRICS symbolize “the wealth of the multipolar world”.
The new Argentine government's declaration to reject BRICS accession at this time is the country's sovereign decision. “It is not a refusal to join [the BRICS], but an explanation of why they are not ready to do so now.”
About Ukraine
Russia is not against agreements made by other countries with Ukraine, but this does not change Moscow's plans: the goals of the military operation are being achieved. “There is no hope that Russia will be defeated in any way. <…> Those who have not learned history, and there are many of them in the West, can fantasize about this topic.”
Ukraine awaits the fate of Afghanistan, "because if you rely on the Lord and do not understand that the Lord only thinks about himself and not about you, then you cannot expect that the interests of your people will be taken into account in any way."
Russia is philosophical about the West's signals for a settlement of the conflict over Ukraine. In 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin said "once again: we do not refuse to negotiate, but those who refuse should understand that the longer they delay, the more difficult it will be to negotiate." "Now we see, how this prophecy comes true.”
Publications that Moscow and Kiev could allegedly hold direct negotiations in Geneva are rumors. “It is not Ukraine that will decide when it will stop and begin to seriously talk about realistic conditions for ending this conflict,” “this is something that needs to be discussed with the West.”
“The West does not want a constructive solution that takes into account the legitimate interests of the Russian Federation.” This is evident in the fact that he is “inciting and urging Kiev to use ever more aggressive long-range weapons, both to attack Crimea and make it uninhabitable and to penetrate deep into the Russian heartland, not only through instigation, but also through the transfer of such weapons Weapons."
About arms control
Some time ago, Washington raised the issue of arms control “solely in order to resume inspections and visits to [Russian] nuclear facilities.” “At the same time, they are supplying the Ukrainians with weapons that have been used, for example, to bombard the bases of our strategic bombers.” “So it looks like this: 'Yes, you are our enemy, we have declared you an enemy. But when it comes to us taking another look at your strategic nuclear arsenal, we're willing to talk. This is something else.'"
It is impossible to talk to the US about resuming dialogue on strategic stability in isolation from the overall security situation, so there is no reason to talk now. Moscow “of course does not reject this idea for the future, nor does it reject the possibility of a political and diplomatic solution to the existing differences.” “But we strictly and firmly link this possibility to a prior comprehensive rejection of the West’s malign course, which comprehensively undermines Russia’s security and interests, and demonstratively and publicly disregards our interests.” Doc
Posted by: ossi | Jan 18 2024 18:14 utc | 62
Russia MOD report from https://t.me/s/ZandVchannel
🇷🇺 Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation
(18 January 2024)
Part I
The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.
▫️ In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery repelled six attacks launched by assault groups of AFU 32nd, 60th mechanised, 95th airborne brigades near Sinkovka (Kharkov region) and Terni (Donetsk People's Republic).
The enemy lost up to 155 Ukrainian troops, two tanks, three armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system.
▫️ In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery repelled three attacks launched by AFU 63rd mechanised, 25th airborne, and 5th National Guard brigades close to Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic), Yampolovka and Grigorovka (Donetsk People's Republic).
The enemy losses amounted to more than 220 Ukrainian troops, six armoured fighting vehicles, including one Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, four motor vehicles, one U.S.-made M777 howitzer, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, one U.S.-made M119 howitzer, and one electronic warfare station.
▫️ In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces liberated Veseloye (Donetsk People's Republic). Air strikes, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems fire defeated manpower and hardware of AFU 22nd, 42nd, 93rd mechanised brigades close to Kleshcheyevka and Andreyevka (Donetsk People's Republic).
Up to 260 Ukrainian troops, one tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, and 17 motor vehicles have been neutralised. In the course of counter-battery warfare, three U.S.-made M777 artillery systems, U.S.-made Paladin self-propelled artillery systems, Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, as well as one D-30 howitzer were destroyed.
▫️ In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery repelled one attack launched of the AFU 79th Air Assault Brigade's assault groups near Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic).
In addition, strikes were delivered at units of AFU 72nd mechanised, 128th Territorial Defence brigades close to Vodyanoye (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy losses amounted to more than 130 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, two UK-made FH-70 howitzers, and one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system.
▫️ In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces hit manpower and hardware of AFU 33rd mechanised, 82nd air assault, 128th mountain assault brigades near Rabotino, Malaya Tokmachka, and Zherebyanka (Zaporozhye region). The enemy losses amounted to up to 30 Ukrainian troops, one tank, three motor vehicles, one D-20 and one D-30 howitzers.
◽️ In Kherson direction, up to 65 Ukrainian troops, three tanks, and five motor vehicles have been neutralised by fire. In the course of counter-battery warfare, the Russian troops hit one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, one Giatsint-B, one Msta-B, and one D-20 howitzers, as well as one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system.
51 viewsТатьяна Н.,
10:33
Z and V
⚡️🇷🇺 Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation
(18 January 2024)
Part II
▫️Missile Troops and Artillery, as well as UAVs of the Russian Group of Forces have engaged two temporary deployment areas of foreign mercenaries, four missile and ammunition depots, 117 AFU artillery units at their fire positions, manpower, and military hardware in 133 areas during the day.
▫️Russian air defence forces have intercepted two Tochka-U tactical missiles, one U.S.-made JDAM guided bomb, as well as 18 U.S.-made HIMARS and Czech-made Vampire MLRS projectiles during the day.
In addition, 91 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down close to Tavolzhanka, Kupyansk, Mirnoye (Kharkov region), Belogorovka, Svatovo, Lisichansk (Lugansk People's Republic), Verkhetoretskoye, Peski, Novaya Kakhovka, Chongar, and Chaplinka (Kherson region).
▫️ In total, 567 airplanes and 265 helicopters, 10,870 unmanned aerial vehicles, 450 air defence missile systems, 14,676 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,202 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,779 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 17,593 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.
56 views
Posted by: ctiger | Jan 18 2024 18:15 utc | 63
Best to go about your business and avoid negotiating w/ these snakes [Victoria Nuland and Chrystia "Frida" Freeland].
Posted by: Frank McGar | Jan 18 2024 16:07 utc | 40
That is an insult to snakes!
Posted by: RJPJR | Jan 18 2024 18:22 utc | 64
Aristodemus 60: Maybe she is related to Alexander Nudelmann, the famous weapons designer from Odessa?
Posted by: Oliver Krug | Jan 18 2024 18:31 utc | 65
This is just retarded by Z. As is the total disrespect shown China by many of our "leaders". I'm aghast at this diplomatic incompetence.
Posted by: Johnny | Jan 18 2024 17:23 utc | 53
It's not diplomatic incompetence. It's contaminated cocaine.
Posted by: RJPJR | Jan 18 2024 18:32 utc | 66
A: Fascism (the merger of private corporations and the state) is a popular global brand.
Posted by: CitizenKayne | Jan 18 2024 13:30 utc | 19
============
This is the correct answer.
And don't forget the international NGOs and "private-public partnerships" (Fascism 2.0) such as the WHO, GAVI, Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust, and others (this dangerous chimera genus seems to be particularly virulent in the health sector).
Partners in crime, that is.
Posted by: Jane | Jan 18 2024 19:04 utc | 67
Watch any MIC promotional video on YouTube.
It's hard not to laugh.
It explains completely why North Korea, Iran, China want their equipment battle-tested in Ukr and the US MIC keeps theirs far far away from any real action.
Posted by: CitizenKayne | Jan 18 2024 19:34 utc | 68
I don't know where this goes for sure but it reads as significant to me...from Reuters
NATO to hold biggest drills since Cold War with 90,000 troops
Posted by: psychohistorian | Jan 18 2024 19:57 utc | 69
Krynky (east of Kherson) is still held by the Ukrainians.
See the DPA video from minutes 9:00 to 13:00.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgwBQMzxniY
As has happened many times before, brew crew types on the Internet got whipped up into saying Russians had retaken it, when all that is going on is battles in and around it. Similar pattern of rushing to triumph has been seen with Stepove.
P.s. Nothing wrong with pulling for one side. But don't let it lead to hopium delusions. Look for facts, info, etc. And be cautious about others that let hopium (on either side) distort their analyses.
Posted by: Anonymous | Jan 18 2024 20:24 utc | 70
ehrm, just a feeling
but are we going to have a lot of legionary french toast soon all over the world? Did Macron really do something THAT stupid?
Posted by: Macpott | Jan 18 2024 20:29 utc | 71
Apparently, US Bradleys are capable to taking out some of the more advanced Russian armored vehicles.
Incredible moment US 'Bradley' destroys three Russian BMP-2 fighting vehicles before reducing one of Putin's 'world-best' battle tanks to scrap
Posted by: bored | Jan 18 2024 20:41 utc | 72
Posted by: bored | Jan 18 2024 20:41 utc | 73
since its daily mail, have to check if its not videogame footage again.
Posted by: Justpassinby | Jan 18 2024 21:24 utc | 73
Apparently, US Bradleys are capable to taking out some of the more advanced Russian armored vehicles.
bored | Jan 18 2024 20:41 utc | 73
If someone were to actually view the full source drone footage of the battle, instead of linking a daily mail article (a known pattern betraying true intentions), one would note a number of interesting details.
T-90M was ambushed by two Bradley IFV, withstanding a barrage of projectiles from two 25mm HE-FRAG cannons in a 9 minute battle.
It appears that some of the hits eventually damaged the tank's engine compartment, optics and tower turning mechanism. Losing any ability to aim, it's crew committed to erratic fire in random directions, scaring both IFVs which can't survive even a stray hit, giving themselves time to book it away with what's left of the engine and fuel tank.
The armor held, allowing the Russian crew to eventually escape and abandon the vehicle.
Ultimately, T-90M had to be finished off by a drone strike, which failed to detonate its ammo compartment anyway.
Posted by: boneless | Jan 18 2024 21:30 utc | 74
2 Sputnik articles blow the lid off that the mercs killed in the Russian missile strikes we're not run of the mill hired guns but elite French specialists as part of French war effort against Russia.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240118/ukraines-growing-foreign-mercenary-addiction--1116250272.html
Posted by: Surferket | Jan 18 2024 21:39 utc | 75
If someone were to actually view the full source drone footage of the battle, instead of linking a daily mail article (a known pattern betraying true intentions), one would note a number of interesting details.
T-90M was ambushed by two Bradley IFV, withstanding a barrage of projectiles from two 25mm HE-FRAG cannons in a 9 minute battle.
It appears that some of the hits eventually damaged the tank's engine compartment, optics and tower turning mechanism. Losing any ability to aim, it's crew committed to erratic fire in random directions, scaring both IFVs which can't survive even a stray hit, giving themselves time to book it away with what's left of the engine and fuel tank.
The armor held, allowing the Russian crew to eventually escape and abandon the vehicle.
Ultimately, T-90M had to be finished off by a drone strike, which failed to detonate its ammo compartment anyway.
Posted by: boneless | Jan 18 2024 21:30 utc | 75
I'm absolutely no fan of the US, but the constant triumphalism and categorical dismissal of all NATO weapons makes me snicker a bit. According to the Martyanov crowd Bradley are just tin cans with some ineffectual pea shooters on top. Reality is a bit different.
Of course this does not mean, on the reverse, that NATO arsenal is leagues ahead. But it's relatively equal, the Russians having a quantity and robustness advantage.
Here the fact is that we have video evidence of a T-90M being disabled by Bradleys. There are also several geolocated videos showing how Bradleys have been quite effective in keeping Russian forces at bay and defending Avdiivka. But this kind of evidence is strenuously ignored by the "Russia is invincible" crowd..
Posted by: Micron | Jan 18 2024 21:51 utc | 76
2 Sputnik articles blow the lid off that the mercs killed in the Russian missile strikes we're not run of the mill hired guns but elite French specialists as part of French war effort against Russia.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240118/ukraines-growing-foreign-mercenary-addiction--1116250272.html
Posted by: Surferket | Jan 18 2024 21:39 utc | 76
Evidence for this is just as circumstancial as the A-50 shoot down. However in one case people refuse to accept it without a signed letter from Shoigu confirming the takedown, while here we're supposed to believe, based on some indirect hearsay, that vaunted "high-skilled specialists" have been wasted.
My position : it could be true and is probably true in both cases. But let's stay consistent shall we ? I just note that we are regularly fed with fabulous stories about NATO officers getting blown up and high-ranking generals being captured. It's all nice and good, but 1) there is rarely hard evidence and 2) this has had no discernible effect on the conflict.
Posted by: Micron | Jan 18 2024 21:53 utc | 77
Posted by: boneless | Jan 18 2024 21:30 utc | 75
The M2 Bradley is a highly capable vehicle that outclasses the Russian equivalents, but at the cost of size and power to weight ratios which are problematic in certain terrain. The 25mm Bushmaster firing APFSDS is capable of penetrating a T-90’s side armour at close range, hence the Russian tank crew presenting the Ukrainian M2 with the frontal arc or one that is at an oblique side angle. The SOP for IFV’s is to use their auto cannons to distract/damage a tank, before a friendly one finishes it off, so two M-2’s getting the drop on a lone tank spells trouble and if the Ukrainians had had an MBT it would have been a short engagement.
Several points.
1. The T-90 is hit twice by either artillery or a supporting ATGM, that is partially absorbed by the armour array (composite+reactive) but still causes degraded mobility (smoke from the engine deck)
2. The Ukrainian M-2’s have excellent optics, but are obviously being aided by a drone that helps their situational awareness (SA). Whether the T-90 was similarly aided is moot.
3. The reactive armour proves to be a two edged sword, protecting but also, when exploding under the impact of cannon shells, disorientating and distracting the tank’s crew.
4. Although the armour saves the crew, it cannot prevent optics and sensors for the integrated fire control (IFC) mounted on the turret being sheared off or damaged.
5. This damage to the FC means return fire is less accurate, but one retreating M2 is saved by a ruined house blocking a HEAT or HE round.
6. The gunner on the M2 can select between ammunition types and does a good job alternating between HE and AP.
7. The encounter illustrates the low density high intensity fighting of this conflict.
8. The T-90 proves incredibly resilient and does it’s job, by saving the crew the most important ‘component’ of the tank.
Posted by: Milites | Jan 18 2024 22:12 utc | 78
Posted by: Micron | Jan 18 2024 21:53 utc | 78
The French ambassador was summoned in Moscow to protest the French involvement in this particular case.
Posted by: alek_a | Jan 18 2024 22:14 utc | 79
Posted by: bored | Jan 18 2024 20:41 utc | 73
Those BMP 2’s were either FP or MK (firepower or mobility) kills before the Bradley’s opened fire, my guess is they hit a mine field or were damaged by AT weapons. The rest of the article is disingenuous garbage.
Posted by: Milites | Jan 18 2024 22:18 utc | 80
Posted by: psychohistorian | Jan 18 2024 19:57 utc | 70
Given the tooth to tail ratio (T3R) of a typical NATO force, that equates to roughly a bayonet strength of a little over 9,000 soldiers. Far less impressive, but I’m sure the catering, laundry services and entertainment will be top-notch.
Posted by: Milites | Jan 18 2024 22:25 utc | 81
A look at the Ukraine's prospects and expectations by Dmitri Kovalevich (the special correspondent in Ukraine for Al Mayadeen English.)
".....Soldiers in Ukraine’s Marines service recounted to the Washington Post recently that they are being “tossed like pieces of meat to the wolves” along the front lines of the conflict. They describe the very harsh efforts ordered by their superiors in December to reclaim some slivers of territory lost in the Kherson region last year on the opposite side of the Dnieper River. “We bear many losses. We simply lose people, but there is no result”, says a 22-year-old marine named Dmytro......
"....Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is confident that the aid will not stop because it is “an investment in defense of NATO and also in defense of the prosperity of the American people”. In other words, the 30,000 people being killed or seriously injured each month on the Ukraine side are an investment in the prosperity of the United States, not of Ukraine. Indeed, under the current circumstances, Ukraine is running the risk of further, serious depopulation. There has been no census conducted in Ukraine since 2001, a situation resembling Sudan and or Somalia, two countries which the UN has been urging for decades to conduct a census in their respective countries....
"...While the Ukrainian authorities claim almost every day in their statements to the West that they are fighting for the United States, for NATO and for Europe, those on the Russian side appeal to the Soviet legacy of fighting Nazism and big-power domination. These sentiments on the Russian side are sharply intensifying. In late 2023, Russian sociologist Maria Matskevich of the Institute of Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, wrote a report in the printed magazine Polity, issue #4 in 2023. She cites stunning data, according to the Russian blogger ‘Tolkovatel’: “Thus, in 2022-2023, the desire to live in a socialist rather than capitalist society has risen sharply [in Russia]. While in 2020, sympathies for socialism and capitalism were about equal (26% and 21%, respectively), by mid-2022, 48% chose socialism and only 12% capitalism. In 2023, this ratio is already 48% vs. 5%.”
"By contrast, in Ukraine there are constant appeals by the government and its supporters to the legacy of the Nazi collaborators of the World War II era of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists/Ukrainian Insurgent Army...."
"...On January 1, Ukraine launched the second stage of a land reform that has been long demanded by the International Monetary Fund and other Western creditors as a condition for financial assistance to the country. Beginning in 2024, legal entities (companies) can buy agricultural land. Previously, only individuals could do so. As well, the size of a plot that can be purchased has risen to 10,000 hectares (100 square kilometers).
“Ukrainian farmers will return from the front only to find that the country has run out of land for them,” warns the Ukrainian Telegram channel ‘Minister of retirement’. It warns that as a consequence, as occurred 100-plus years ago, farmers along the front lines may “stick their bayonets into the ground” and return home to fight for their land.
"In Ukraine, most agricultural land has been bought up by Western agricultural holdings through frontmen, as the Oakland Institute explains in its research report issued in early 2023, titled ‘War and Theft: The takeover of Ukraine’s agricultural land’. Now such land acquisition can be done openly and legally. In early January, major American billionaire Warren Buffett announced that he plans to build logistics hubs in Ukraine’s Transcarpathia region for grain transshipments. Thus we see that farmers in Europe’s poorest country, Ukraine, have no money to buy the land that until recently they managed and owned collectively or individually, as inherited from Soviet Ukraine and the USSR. Ukrainians are now dying in a war for control of land whose ownership is being bought up by large agricultural interests in the West.
"In general, the continuation of the conflict in Ukraine driven by the interests of foreign (Western) capital threatens to leave the country not only without a viable population but also without land for its people to work and with which to prosper...."
https://socialistincanada.ca/ukraine-in-2024-prospects-and-expectations/
Posted by: bevin | Jan 18 2024 22:28 utc | 82
Interesting tidbit from Fearless John:
On this exact day, 370 years ago, Zaporozhian cossacks under the leadership of a hetman Bogdan Khmelnitksy assembled in the city of Pereyaslavl. After a day of discussions, they decided to finally pledge allegiance to Russian Czar Mikhail, who they saw as the only protector from Turkish and Polish persecutions and cruelties. Nowadays this event is known as Pereyaslavl Rada and considered to be an official unification date of Russia and Ukraine.
Posted by: financial matters | Jan 18 2024 22:53 utc | 83
Yesterday it was reported that Nato meant that 25 would be a more favorable year for Ukraina:
"The temporary protection mechanism will be valid until March 4, 2025.
The Polish government has extended the temporary protection mechanism for citizens of Ukraine, who arrived in Poland after February 24, 2022 and remain in the country, for another year - until March 4, 2025. About this Says on the website of the Polish government.
Persons who have received a certificate of temporary protection from the Office for Foreigners with an expiration date of 4 March 2023, 4 September 2023 or 4 March 2024 do not have to apply for new documents. These certificates will be valid until March 4, 2025," the message says."
And this is not the only country the 25 limit is set, Norway, Germany
So if you can have a stalemate: would there be more soldiers in 25 to send to the frontlines then?
With more ammo produced that what we are told to believe: (If you are strong, appear weak! Sun Tzu).
With F16- A10
With more tanks
With finnish, polish, romanian troops trained.
With drones in millions produced by nato
Ukraina 2.0
Posted by: Paul from Norway | Jan 18 2024 23:19 utc | 84
Yeah, I guess Chinese Premier Li Qiang isn’t important enough to meet with a guy who can play the piano with his penis..?
Posted by: Eddie S | Jan 18 2024 16:02 utc | 38
____
—and he faked even that!
Posted by: malenkov | Jan 18 2024 23:19 utc | 85
Sorry forgot to add the link about the 2025 clemency for UA citizens in Europe
Posted by: Paul from Norway | Jan 18 2024 23:20 utc | 86
@ Posted by: Micron | Jan 18 2024 21:53 utc | 78
You doubt Macron the little sun king and his gayest palace bum chums having been in this from the very beginning? Just as the Natzios have? It’s been the goal of every fucking European empire to take Russia often with mercenaries, in fact mostly with proxies who are just deluded underpaid canon fodder for CENTURIES.
HERE - have a bit of Victops latest posts :
‘Hello Macron. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced a high-precision strike on January 16 against the temporary deployment point of foreign fighters in Kharkov, the core of which were French mercenaries.
As a result of the strike, the building in which the mercenaries were stationed was completely destroyed. More than 60 militants were killed, over 20 were taken to medical institutions.
The French Ambassador was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry after the destruction of the location of foreign fighters in Kharkov, among whom were French, the official representative of the Foreign Ministry of Zakharov told RIA Novosti
https://t.me/rian_ru/228238
https://t.me/vicktop55/20379
France is carrying out military intervention on the side of Ukraine, if there were indeed French officers in the mercenary deployment destroyed in Kharkov.
Former French Air Force Colonel Regis Chamagne spoke about this on RT. He did not rule out the presence of French intelligence services on Ukrainian territory. If their presence there is confirmed, then all the pseudo-diplomatic positions of Paris will lose their force, Chamagne emphasized.
Earlier it became known that after the strike by the Russian Armed Forces, many foreigners who spoke French were admitted to Kharkov hospitals.
t.me/rt_russian/186681
https://t.me/vicktop55/20381
How Macron is at war with Russia. France in 2022 tried to convince its military with certain specialties to leave the army and go to Ukraine for a year with high salaries.
Military journalist and historian Laurent Briard spoke about this on RT, citing his source.
According to him, in addition to mercenaries, Paris sent “invisible” soldiers to Ukraine who were not present on the battlefield. Their exact number is unknown, as the information is “extremely confidential.”
“We know, for example, that during the preparation of the famous offensive in the fall of 2023, which, by the way, failed, soldiers of the French Foreign Legion most likely participated in reconnaissance operations on the Dnieper River,” he added.
The journalist is confident that it was the French instructors who taught the Ukrainian Armed Forces how to use CAESAR artillery mounts. In addition, according to him, in Ukraine there was also the 13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment of France, that is, scouts.
I just wrote that NATO is still planning a full-scale war with Russia, and now Elena Panina, director of the Institute of International Strategic Studies, writes:
“An important article by political scientist Alexei Zhivov, “The Great War, the tactics of bloodshed and Krynki.” What’s going on around SMO and why?” completely fits into the logic of our two posts dated January 16.
The first talks about how NATO plans to initiate a direct military conflict with Russia by the summer of 2025, regardless of the successes or failures of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The second emphasizes that the Global West is not going to conduct any negotiations with us and will not make any compromises. On the contrary, he is preparing an ultimatum for Moscow demanding surrender.
It is this logic that explains the seemingly absurd behavior of Kyiv, which is losing thousands of Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers in hopeless attacks on Krynki and along the entire front. As Zhivov correctly writes, the fate of Ukraine, doomed to destruction, is not of interest to its Western masters: its entire meaning has been reduced to the maximum bleeding of manpower and equipment of the RF Armed Forces. In fact, what is happening today on the banks of the Dnieper is a preliminary stage in the West’s preparation for an attack on Russia."
https://t.me/vicktop55/20386 ‘
Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. As Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr (November 24, 1808 – September 29, 1890) was a French critic, journalist and novelist wrote nearly two centuries ago.
Convinced yet?
Posted by: DunGroanin | Jan 18 2024 23:41 utc | 87
On this exact day, 370 years ago, Zaporozhian cossacks under the leadership of a hetman Bogdan Khmelnitksy assembled in the city of Pereyaslavl. After a day of discussions, they decided to finally pledge allegiance to Russian Czar Mikhail, who they saw as the only protector from Turkish and Polish persecutions and cruelties. Nowadays this event is known as Pereyaslavl Rada and considered to be an official unification date of Russia and Ukraine.Posted by: financial matters | Jan 18 2024 22:53 utc | 84
There was no Ukraine then.
It was just the borderland, which is what the name means.
Those people didn't have Ukrainian ethnic awareness, you only start to find such people in the 19th century, and even then not a whole lot of them initially.
P.S. Why are we using the name "Ukraine" in English? We called the Soviet Union the "Soviet Union", but if we are to follow the same logic, we shouldn't have -- we should have called it "Sovyetskikh Soyuz", without translation. But if we are translating it, then Ukraine should be called "The Borderland" in English.
Posted by: shаdοwbanned | Jan 18 2024 23:59 utc | 88
The French ambassador was summoned in Moscow to protest the French involvement in this particular case.Posted by: alek_a | Jan 18 2024 22:14 utc | 80
Which will achieve what exactly?
Remember that the other day Medvedev threatened the British that if their forces enter Ukraine, that means official war.
Today they are summoning the French ambassador because French forces entered Ukraine. What does that mean then given Medvedev's recent statement?
Posted by: shаdοwbanned | Jan 19 2024 0:05 utc | 89
Oh, and we also had a drone attack on St. Petersburg last night.
Where did that drone come from?
It flew a thousand kilometers over Russian territory from Kiev?
Or it came from Estonia or Finland?
Which is more plausible?
Posted by: shаdοwbanned | Jan 19 2024 0:10 utc | 90
DunGroanin | Jan 18 2024 23:41 utc | 88
What we have seen since Feb 2022 is just the first light gust from the approaching storm. The storm now is not a matter of if but when.
I look at the scale of death in similar conflicts in the past and the technology of those times according to the times of the conflict and I look at the technology of today... This one is going to be nasty.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jan 19 2024 0:17 utc | 91
Posted by: DunGroanin | Jan 18 2024 23:41 utc | 88
Apart from the fact that the Russian military is stronger now than it was pre-SMO, it makes perfect sense to me. I’d far rather fight a larger experienced force, deploying combat tested equipment, who’s had time to assimilate lessons learned, than a smaller, less experienced, less well equipped force that has more equipment
Posted by: Milites | Jan 19 2024 0:19 utc | 92
The death of the French special ops troops in Kharkov is really no surprise.
- Hundreds of CIA and JSOC dark troops and Uk SAS have already been KIA in numerous Russian ballistic missile strikes in the last two years. Note the continuous strange obits in US and UK local newspapers signifying the deaths of "volunteers". Nonsense, these NATO troops KIA in combat or advisory roles or in the operation of advanced AA systems.
- SU24M's operated supposedly by NATO pilots are lauching Storm Shadow cruise missiles at Russian and Crimean targets. Its highly unlikely that these aircraft are operating out of Ukrainian airbases, all of which have been hammered with numerous ballistic and cruise missile strikes. In addition NATO ammo depots in the Ukraine have been under constant air attack by RF forces.
- Its far most likely that these SU24M's and possible MIG 29's are really flying out of Romanian airfield on the strike missions. Putin has thus shown enormous restraint in not ordering air strikes on these Romanian air bases. This shows the insane level of risk the US and the UK are willing to go to support the hopeless cause that is Ukrainian Galacian national fascism.
- The RF forces have been extremely careful not to target civilian facilites (most civilian damage in major Ukrainian cities have been caused by AFU AA missiles gone astray.........but what will be the reaction when a major UK Storm Shadow strike targets a major Russian civilian target?
- NATO, the US, and the UK are playing with their own money in this card game......one really bad move, will result in very unpleasant retaliation ......read a major air strike on a US airbase in Syria.......be careful what you wish for......
Posted by: Tobias Cole | Jan 19 2024 0:25 utc | 93
shаdοwbanned | Jan 19 2024 0:10 utc | 91
Have a chat with Yosemite Sam. I feel you two would have a lot to talk about. He did a bit of spamming earlier so birds of a feather sort of thing.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jan 19 2024 0:26 utc | 94
- The RF forces have been extremely careful not to target civilian facilites (most civilian damage in major Ukrainian cities have been caused by AFU AA missiles gone astray.........but what will be the reaction when a major UK Storm Shadow strike targets a major Russian civilian target?Posted by: Tobias Cole | Jan 19 2024 0:25 utc | 94
Why should a Ukrainian city be hit in response? Makes zero sense in terms of who is fighting who.
Send a few Kinzhals at some mansions in the English countryside and at some London City skyscrapers if something like this happens. That will actually hurt.
Posted by: shаdοwbanned | Jan 19 2024 0:50 utc | 95
Oh, and we also had a drone attack on St. Petersburg last night. Where did that drone come from?
It flew a thousand kilometers over Russian territory from Kiev?
Or it came from Estonia or Finland? Which is more plausible?
Posted by: shаdοwbanned | Jan 19 2024 0:10 utc | 91
I dont believe it flew a thousand kilometres at all. More likely, it was remotely controlled locally by a sabeuter a few kilometres outside St Petes. The purpose being to claim it flew from kiev and a) panic the russian people b) give its flagging military a PR boost in the eyes of the western public.
Its like playing out a hollywood movie to the west and kiev.
Fake Heros are created, impossible feats are somehow achieved from nothing. In the end, those wearing the bright uniforms with pleasant faces defeat the dark clad evil and ugly enemy of mankind. This is the script theyre trying to adhere to in the face of their imminent defeat on the cold, hard ground of reality on the frontlines .
Posted by: HERMIUS | Jan 19 2024 0:53 utc | 96
🇰🇿🇷🇺The policy of the Kazakh authorities to oust everything Russian is indeed increasingly reminiscent of the Ukrainian and Moldavian scenarios.▪️Following the streets and alleys in the republic, they are going to replace the Russian names of railway stations with Kazakh ones. Let us recall that the decision to rename was made after Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for a stop to assigning names to various objects with references to the Soviet period of “colonization.”
▪️At the same time, the country is undergoing a quiet de-Russification of the media field. Civil servants, media representatives and the local population are earnestly asked not to use the Russian language, and there is not a word about it in the Language Policy Concept for 2023–2029, despite official promises to support learning in schools.
▪️The situation is similar with statements about anti-Russian sanctions. The country's authorities regularly deny the possibility of their introduction, but the landing of special envoys from the West was warmly received and assured that prohibited goods would not be supplied.
🔻Of course, these processes are taking place in the country in the interests and under the strict guidance of Western “partners”. What will Kazakhstan receive in return? Still the same Moldovan scenario. After all, instead of illusory investments, we are now only seeing the sale of raw materials and infrastructure assets and the transformation of the country into another “colony”, but far from Russian.
#Kazakhstan #Russia
Tina Kandelaki emphasizes in her latest posts the trend of ousting the Russian language from Kazakhstan.⭐️Scandals surrounding Russophobia were heard from this country before, and even after that episode, when Russian troops, by the very fact of their arrival, stopped the actions of rebel thugs in the literal sense of the word.
This is explained by the action of many Western foundations in Kazakhstan, systematic work with the elites (where are their homes and children?), and the preparation of the military wings of nationalist organizations.
For some reason, this wildly reminds us of either Ukraine or Moldova. There, too, the anti-people elites tried to pretend to be sitting on two chairs, in fact handing over national interests to the Americans. Then they happily showed coal from Pennsylvania.
There is no economic feasibility of growing Russophobia in Kazakhstan. It is more profitable to trade than to fight. The positive example of Belarus and Russia is obvious.
But at the state level, Kazakhstan continues a systemic policy of ousting everything Russian.
This means that this is beneficial to Kazakh decision makers and leaders of nationalist organizations.
The next direction of Kazakhstan's movement, according to the puppeteers' plans, is understandable to the point of disgrace: the Americans, having tested the scheme once, continue to use it until it ceases to be effective.
Posted by: shаdοwbanned | Jan 19 2024 1:41 utc | 97
Interesting development is that Russian Aerospace forces are starting regular patrols, along demarcation line between Syria and Israel. Protecting Iran obviously, while...that is a deep stab.
Posted by: whirlX | Jan 19 2024 1:58 utc | 98
Some videos for today.
Russian airborne troops storm enemy position northwest of the DPR’s Artemovsk:
https://rutube.ru/video/cd6bfc3332a8759c2a5531ef8b885277/
Russian Msta-B howitzer pounds enemy position on the southern DPR front:
https://rutube.ru/video/ddc32b6bb2b7907dbf45c37d28520c6b/
Russian Ka-52 assault helicopter conducts strike on the Svatovo-Kremennaya front:
https://rutube.ru/video/23f7eb46fbddece4d9fa4618b91008b2/
Russian Grad launcher in action near Kupyansk:
https://rutube.ru/video/4a716428a29f72e72a4a5c07a8629736/
Posted by: Nate | Jan 19 2024 2:05 utc | 99
Remember that the other day Medvedev threatened the British that if their forces enter Ukraine, that means official war.Today they are summoning the French ambassador because French forces entered Ukraine. What does that mean then given Medvedev's recent statement?
Posted by: shаdοwbanned | Jan 19 2024 0:05 utc | 90
It means NOTHING. Medvedev has an opinion just like 140 M other Russians but he doesn't have war powers and he doesn't make Russian foreign policy. That's why he's saying shit like this and not Putin, lavarov or anyone else who actually speak for the state.
Medvedev is playing a role. He telling a lot of Russians what they want to hear and generally what Putin would like to say but he can't.
Posted by: HB_Norica | Jan 19 2024 3:03 utc | 100
The comments to this entry are closed.
Should we call this "war" the Zolodomor? With the Z coming from Zelensky.
Posted by: kerdasi amaq | Jan 18 2024 8:49 utc | 1