Moon of Alabama Brecht quote
April 11, 2024

Ukraine - To Hurt Russia Means Pain For Ukraine

Ukraine is trying to hurt Russia by hitting its refineries. But the attacks fail to have the desired effects on Russia.  The Russian response though, in form of de-energization attacks on Ukraine, seriously endanger the state.

Today the Russian Federation continued with the de-energization of Ukraine (machine translation):

As a result of a massive Russian missile attack on the night of April 11 , the Trypillya thermal power plant in the Kiev region was completely destroyed.
...
Located in the city of Ukrainka, Trypillia thermal power station was commissioned in 1973 and became the most powerful power plant in the Kiev region. It was also the largest supplier of electricity to the Kiev, Cherkasy and Zhytomyr regions.

Since the Zmiyevskaya TPP in the Kharkiv region was completely destroyed on March 22, and Russian troops occupied the Uglegorsk TPP in the Donetsk region on July 25, 2022, Centrenergo has now lost 100% of its generation.

After the complete destruction of the Trypillya TPP, the network recalls the statement of Centrenergo from August 2023 that the facility is equipped with physical protection "at 100%".

At the same time, it was reported that 70% of the work at the Zmievskaya TPP was completed. This facility was also destroyed by shelling in March of this year.

DTEK, another power supply company in Ukraine, also reported significant losses:

During the missile attack on early 11 April, Russia attacked two thermal power plants owned by DTEK company (Ukraine's largest private investor in energy), severely damaging the equipment there.

Source: DTEK press service

Details: "After the attack, the power engineers promptly began to eliminate the consequences and restore the equipment. According to early reports, there were no casualties," the statement said.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, DTEK's thermal power plants have been attacked almost 170 times.

In addition to the power supplies Russian attacks also targeted parts of the national electricity distribution network:

Russia has damaged Ukrenergo’s substations and generation facilities in Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Kharkiv and Kyiv Oblasts as a result of a massive missile attack on the night of 10-11 April (Ukrenergo is the electricity transmission system operator in Ukraine).

Europe's biggest underground storage facility for natural gas in western Ukraine was also attacked (machine translation):

On the night of April 11, Russian cruise missiles of various classes and drones attacked two critical energy infrastructure facilities in the Lviv region.

This was announced by the head of the Lviv OVA Maxim Kozitsky.

"This is a gas distribution infrastructure facility in the Stryi district and an electric substation in the Chervonograd district. Fires started. They were quickly extinguished by firefighters. There were no casualties. All life support systems in the Lviv region are operating normally," Kozytsky said.

The underground storage facility is partly used by west European companies. But without the pumping and distribution system at the surface the underground facility, and anything stored in it, becomes useless.

Russia has not attacked any of the nuclear power plants in Ukraine. They, and limited electricity imports from western Europe, can still provide a minimum of basic load electricity to the country. But any peaks in consumption, which are usually buffered by the now destroyed thermal and hydroelectric power plants, will put the system under stress. Significant blackouts will thus become unavoidable.

Aleksey Arestovich, a former advisor to the president of Ukraine, is not happy about this (machine translation):

The Russians consistently knock out our generation - hydroelectric and thermal power plants.

More than UAH 50 billion was allocated to protect the stations.

This is the same amount as according to the NBU, Ukrainians collected defense donations in two years.

I throw up questions that should be asked to our leaders.:

  • how and what was the money spent?
  • why haven't alternative generation circuits been created in the last two years - gas-fired power plants haven't been purchased?
  • why didn't you listen to the experts for two years, who predicted what was happening back in May 2022 and offered to do business for two years, and not to fuck around and publish?

Energy is the foundation of the country's life. If there is no energy, there is nothing.

We are still holding on, thanks to the energy bridge with the EU and nuclear power plants, but the prospect that some regions will sit without electricity for weeks (and therefore without production and storage of food-in the summer!) getting closer.

Neither Arestovich nor other commentators in Ukraine acknowledge that the Russian campaign to de-energize the country is a direct consequence of Ukrainian attacks on infrastructure in Russia.

The daily reports by the Russian Ministry of Defense have emphasized this several times:

In response to the Kiev regime's attempts to damage Russian oil and gas and energy facilities, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation launched a massive strike on Ukrainian fuel and energy facilities with long-range precision weapons, air-and sea-based weapons, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles. The strike goals have been achieved. All objects are hit.

As a result, the work of Ukrainian military industry enterprises was disrupted, the transfer of reserves to combat areas was disrupted, and fuel supply to units and military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was hampered.

Ukraine has, over several weeks, used drones to attack oil refineries deep within Russia. It did not stop even after it received the first Russian responses in form of renewed strikes on its energy facilities.

The U.S. has said that it does not like the Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil facilities because they could lead to an increase in global gasoline prices which could lower president Biden's chance for a re-election.

Only yesterday U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin again criticized such attacks:

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Ukraine’s recent drone strikes on Russian oil refineries have a “knock-on effect” that could affect the global energy situation and suggested Kyiv focus on “tactical and operational targets” instead.

“Those attacks could have a knock-on effect in terms of the global energy situation. Ukraine is better served in going after tactical and operational targets that can directly influence the current fight,” Austin told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, April 9, Bloomberg reported.
...
Austin’s comments are the latest confirmation of Washington’s position on Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries, which first started circulating following a Financial Times (FT) article – citing unnamed officials – that said Washington had relayed wishes to Ukraine’s intelligence units to stop hitting Russian oil refineries for fear of rising crude prices and retaliation.

However, unable to provide further money and weapons to Ukraine, the Biden administration has lost much of its leverage over Ukraine.

It has also failed to put its ducks in a row. Remarkably the General Secretary of NATO, usually a spokesperson for U.S. policy, takes a position that is in opposite to what the U.S. Secretary of Defense says:

Oil refineries in Russian territory are “legitimate” targets for Ukrainian drone strikes, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a joint press briefing with Finnish President Alexander Stubb on April 10.

Stoltenberg reiterated that Ukraine has the right to defend itself by military means.

“Ukraine has the right to strike legitimate military targets outside the territory of their country to defend itself,” the secretary said.

While the Economist lauds the Ukrainian attacks it notes that the intended consequences like a gasoline shortage in Russia, are unlikely to happen:

The government has kept a lid on prices by banning petrol exports for six months from March 1st, and striking a deal with Belarus, its client state. Russia imported 3,000 tonnes of fuel from Belarus in the first half of March, up from zero in January. Fearing that may not be enough, officials have also asked neighbouring Kazakhstan to set aside a third of its reserves, equivalent to 100,000 tonnes, should Russia need them, according to Reuters.

Nor will Russia lose any income:

The government will even save some cash by paying out fewer per-barrel subsidies to refineries. Russia’s biggest money-earners are resource taxes. And because these are levied as royalties at the well-head, the government is indifferent between oil exported as crude or as refined fuel, says Mr Vakulenko. As long as Russia is able to export crude, it can collect royalties.

To sum up:

  • The Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries do not have the desired secondary effects on Russia. Fuel is available at cheap prices and resource based state income continues to be high.
  • Ukraine's attacks on Russia are the purported reason given by Russia for the de-energization of Ukraine.
  • NATO and the U.S. defense establishment do not have a consistent position.
  • Global fuel prices are rising and are hurting Biden's campaign efforts.
  • Ukraine continues to be de-energized.

One might think that the negative effects from the above are significant enough to lead to a change in policies.

How come I do not expect to see any?

Posted by b on April 11, 2024 at 13:53 UTC | Permalink

Comments
next page »

Like Churchill said of his Middle East Generals in 1941 can also be said of current Ukrainian Generals:

"Lions being led by donkeys"

Posted by: canuck | Apr 11 2024 14:02 utc | 1

Ukraine's leaders were approved by their sponsors for willingness to lead their nation to the sacrificial altar. But perhaps there will be a useful learning opportunity for other nations in the future who will be invited to play the part Ukraine is playing today (hint Taiwan hint).

Posted by: pxx | Apr 11 2024 14:15 utc | 2

An alternative point of view is also - Ukraine is a Nato attack platform.

As such, Nato can use any Ukrainian infrastructure, as it prepares to bring its own troops and equipment into Ukraine.

Russia acknowledges Nato is coming to fight in Ukraine and is preparing a welcome for Nato. That means Nato can't use any Ukrainian infrastructure or utilities. Russia is removing any potential advantage from Nato, and stacking all possible advantages for itself.

Ok, they want to come. Let Nato bring their own water and electricity generation and supplies with them. The other thing is trying to keep them alive.

Posted by: unimperator | Apr 11 2024 14:21 utc | 3

What are the ukrainians thinking ? Have they put their fingers in their ears to not hear the ugly truth ?

Posted by: WMG | Apr 11 2024 14:30 utc | 4

Obviously taking down all the electric generation plants is a key strategic goal, but taking down the rail system via the destruction of railroad switch yards, and locomotive repair and storage sheds is also vital to disrupting the logistics supply lines.

Additionally all the rail bridges need to be dropped.......allowing foreign dignitaries to train into Kieve for press conferences with Volo has to stop......let them walk!!

Rail bridges in the Odessa region are now under attack and should be too. Most of the NATO supply chain is rail borne, so destroy that link.

Take the gloves off........NATO has, so let the RF have at it........

Posted by: Tobias Cole | Apr 11 2024 14:31 utc | 5

Increasingly it seems that the West is not "leadership capable"

Posted by: Northern Observer | Apr 11 2024 14:36 utc | 6

Great report. Thank you.

Posted by: scorpion | Apr 11 2024 14:37 utc | 7

Posted by: canuck | Apr 11 2024 14:02 utc | 1

############

When the initial premise is incorrect, expecting success in any endeavor is impossible.

Ukraine has no business being a catspaw. Ukraine always made a devil's bargain with the West when it moved towards NATO.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Apr 11 2024 14:38 utc | 8

To my knowledge and repeated by top analysts, Russia's current loss rate is at the lowest in the conflict.

Artillery and Glide Bombs destroy the enemy at range, keeping the Russian foot out of danger.

So when the NAFO patrons at the bar try to talk up how fearsome NATO is due to GDP or past reputation against countries without air defense, remember that they have no metric to make their claim upon. No objective case. The best case is that the Russians aren't taking enough territory when anyone with an IQ over room temperature knows that territory was never the goal and is taken only in service of protecting ethnic Russians from genocide by Nazis and compelling Ukraine to make Nazism illegal at the Constitutional level.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Apr 11 2024 14:46 utc | 9

"Russia has not attacked any of the nuclear power plants in Ukraine."
The Half-Measures Quasi Special War.

Posted by: Elmagnostic | Apr 11 2024 14:52 utc | 10

Maybe the Ukrainians and NATO want to push up the price of oil and piss off the US. Doing so will put extra pressure on US finances and finish this war off quicker. Europe and Ukraine would gladly call it a day but can't because the Anglo-Saxons are making big profits. These profits will be hit by increased inflation, ergo the strikes on Russian refineries.

Posted by: Eoin Clancy | Apr 11 2024 14:55 utc | 11

Since early in the smo, I've followed the substack of an American ex-pat living in Kiev. He hates Russia, & has written about that throughout. All along he has bought, hook, line & sinker, all the Ukrainian lies.

The last time I looked, 1-2 weeks ago, was the 1st time I saw a post in which he admitted to the possibility that Russia could take over Ukraine. He posted about how he would deal with living under Russian rule. Basically, keep head down, low profile.

After seeing yesterday's massive strikes, I checked in on his stack. Or tried to. He's taken it down completely. It's as if it never existed.

I only hope he didn't express his hateful views in front of his very young children. First, because it will increase their terror. Second because out of the mouths of babes..

Anyway, it suggests that reality is sinking in for the everyday person in Kiev.

Posted by: Mary | Apr 11 2024 14:55 utc | 12

Thanks for the posting b

This is how the empire bully goes down....slowly

Empire is jonesing for a war to distract from its inherent and growing ugliness....and they are not getting it, only the ongoing thousands of cuts all over its "body".

I posit that Aleksey Arestovich sees the light with his phrase
"
Energy is the foundation of the country's life. If there is no energy, there is nothing.
"

When do the transmission lines from the EU to Ukraine get hit?

Posted by: psychohistorian | Apr 11 2024 14:59 utc | 13

There to me missing an overlying explanation as to why NATO wants to support Ukraine, with or without the Russian SMO? No one has made that clear to me.

Yes it has been made clear that the military encroachments past the 1991 lines of demarcations Eastward were intentional and designed to incite Russia to react; but what has not been made clear to me yet from the prospective of a western person watching billions disappear into Ukraine space, is why NATO nations had to have control over, or support Ukraine or any other nation state East of the demarcation (I forget the name of the treaty and may not have the date correct that established that line). Some one explain to me . please.

What is so important about Ukraine that the nation state governments in the west can justify shelling out trillions of tax payer dollars to support Ukraine?

From an investors viewpoint, I can readily see Justification, Private Investors, particularly Wall Street types, want the governments that host such investors to make the investors investments in far away Ukraine profitable. The investors want that profit to come at no cost to the investor. In other words, using the government to clear the way to make a profit comes at taxpayer expense.

But I cannot see any reason for taxpayers to agree that the tax payer financed government should solve investor profit problems that arise in far away lands?


Posted by: snake | Apr 11 2024 15:03 utc | 14

/cheep
/flicks on hemlet light

The West be big mad, screeching and slap fighting with closed eyes into this out of spite, like wimpy theater kids.

/looks at Blinken, helmet light spotlights him
/looks to Admiral Kirby, helmet light spotlight him

Yeah, wimpy theater kids checks out.

/cheep

Off to better pastures for grub

/cheep cheep
/flies away

Posted by: titmouse | Apr 11 2024 15:04 utc | 15

Like Churchill said of his Middle East Generals in 1941 can also be said of current Ukrainian Generals:

"Lions being led by donkeys"

Posted by: canuck | Apr 11 2024 14:02 utc | 1

Churchill, of course, being the biggest ass of the bunch- but convinced he was a lion.

Posted by: Honzo | Apr 11 2024 15:06 utc | 16

Whenever the West tries to attack Russia, it just gives Russia more benefits while damaging itself to a greater extent than what they intended to inflict on Russia.
It's been the same way every time, at least in the past decade. Which is a good predictor for this remaining a pattern until there is no more West to backfire its own attacks on. Which will almost be a shame, because it's nice to see them giving Russia free benefits over and over again at cost to themselves.

Posted by: Red Outsider | Apr 11 2024 15:08 utc | 17

Yves Smith, referencing John Helmer's expertise on Ukranian power-grid issues, describes RF transitioning from SMO to WAR in Ukraine:

https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2024/04/russia-delivers-major-blow-to-ukraine-by-destroying-kievs-biggest-power-plant.html

Posted by: Aleph_Null | Apr 11 2024 15:11 utc | 18

Posted by: snake | Apr 11 2024 15:03 utc | 14

Ukraine serves the interests of the top 1% in the US who own Blackrock, Vanguard and State Street through shares. neo-nazi NATO is just their brainchild for causing war and mass destructions.

Posted by: AI | Apr 11 2024 15:21 utc | 19

Like Churchill said of his Middle East Generals in 1941 can also be said of current Ukrainian Generals:

"Lions being led by donkeys"

Posted by: canuck | Apr 11 2024 14:02 utc | 1

Churchill, of course, being the biggest ass of the bunch- but convinced he was a lion.

Posted by: Honzo | Apr 11 2024 15:06 utc | 16


It is amazing, that a country with no lions, was able to market lions as its regal trademark. It is a shame what people will let other's get away with.

Posted by: Nasir | Apr 11 2024 15:22 utc | 20

The darkness before the dawning of the new day.

Posted by: Don Firineach | Apr 11 2024 15:25 utc | 21

I recall that The Ukraine’s power demand in 2021 was pitifully mininscule. The Kiev gov’t by 2021 ruined what was the most prosperous region of the Soviet Region.

Posted by: Exile | Apr 11 2024 15:27 utc | 22

Kiev is on life support - completely dependent on the west for basic government financing, military equipment and ammunition, and now electricity as well. No troops will be demobilized (rumor that Azov refused to go to Chasav Yar) which is bound to have an effect on moral - you all must fight till you die for the sake of the west and the oligarchs and their families in Kiev - conscription to be broadened to to include invalids, younger people, and women, plus all those who fled the country and can be coerced into returning. But Kiev is winning... It's a sick, sad tragedy forced upon the country by the west which shows not the slightest remorse for the human cost of their anti-Russian policy. Their only concerns being how to prolong the conflict as long as possible. Maybe now they will involve Moldova more directly in their sick scheme.

Posted by: the pessimist | Apr 11 2024 15:34 utc | 23

thanks b.... your quote -

"Neither Arestovich nor other commentators in Ukraine acknowledge that the Russian campaign to de-energize the country is a direct consequence of Ukrainian attacks on infrastructure in Russia."

neither do ukrainians seem to realize how they have been used, and badly by nato and friends..


@ Mary | Apr 11 2024 14:55 utc | 12

thanks mary... i appreciate you sharing that perspective..

nato leadership and usa leadership out of sync - good! at what point do those in nato realize they are being had by the usa?

-------------------

donkeys are actually quite powerful and formidable creatures, not to be laughed at.. they put up a good fight too if need be...

Posted by: james | Apr 11 2024 15:38 utc | 24

I think there are a variety of ways to interpret these attacks on energy and logistical infrastructure. One would be that Russia does not expect to advance much further. Another is that they are pre-empting NATO entry, making that possibility even more absurd than it already was. Another is that this is 'a direct response to Ukraine's attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.' And then there's the possibility that Russia is investing in a major strategic push to gain as much land as possible this fighting season.

The first I discount. Russia's strategic imperatives simply don't allow it, and there's no evidence that Russian military capabilities are exhausted- indeed, quite the opposite.

The second is likely the case, but is subsidiary to the fourth.

The third is simply nonsense. That's not how Russia plans its campaigns. They have been preparing these strikes for a long time, by accumulating resources for them, by defeating Ukrainian AD network, and by grinding through the major fortifications of the AFU in the east, depleting their reserves of manpower and equipment, and pushing them into poorly prepared defensive positions.

All the above elements have been developed from the moment of the withdrawal of Russian forces from the high-water mark in early 2022. No doubt, considerable planning and preparation for them had been in the works for years, but limited to some extent by the requirement of not alerting the west to Russia's preparedness to fight.

Hence, the fourth, last option is the correct one. The battlefield has been shaped to Russia's strategic requirements over the last two years. Breaking down the infrastructure that NATO needs to operate effectively in Ukraine is the final nail in Ukraine's coffin. This is the point at which even a very bad chess player tips over his king.

That is, it's the point of surrender from a Ukrainian POV. However, Ukraine, as a whole, is merely a pawn, and there are still some interests in the wests that gain from prolonging its agony- most notable French financiers and the Biden crime family. Prolonging the war qua war is no longer aligned with anything that can be considered the 'national interest' of the US, or even its ruling PTB. What they need now is a 'scary peace.' A new Cold War. They have the conquest of Latin America to deal with, and Ukraine is a sunk cost, from any perspective.

Expect to see the American political system unravel in a hurry. The early signs of narrative change and the expulsion of prominent neocons are already underway, and the pace at which they are replaced by New Men like Musk and Ramaswamy will accelerate, almost certainly under the gaze of Trump, who is something of a transitional figure.

Epstein and Diddy ran honeytraps for CIA, and a lot of that info was certainly shared by Israel which is deeply involved in both. This, however, cuts both ways, because while it gives Israel leverage over the Old Guard, it also gives the Next Wave a powerful tool for sweeping the Old Guard out.

I suspect that Israel has reached its use-by date, and while they can mount a bloody blackmail campaign against US politicians and celebs, these are all expendable from the POV of the PTB. Israel's great utility was in offering a constant opportunity to fuck with the oil supply, especially to Europe. The deindustrialization of Europe is making this much less important. The other major target of oil-supply control is China, but Russia has largely bullet-proofed China, and the US is amplifying this by cutting away the European market for Chinese goods. If they aren't selling phones and EVs to Europe, what do they need all that energy for? Russia can cover China's domestic needs handily.

Posted by: Honzo | Apr 11 2024 15:39 utc | 25

There's no controversy - while the US did everything to instigate the War in Ukraine, it now wants to pretend like it's a purely European phenomenon.

So Stubb&Stolten are doing exactly what's expected of them.

The show, the war must go on!

Posted by: js | Apr 11 2024 15:39 utc | 26

Posted by: Tobias Cole | Apr 11 2024 14:31 utc | 5

You've definitely noticed about logistics. There is a military expediency in this: the lack of energy resources forces the enemy to move military production and repair facilities, which increases the logistics shoulder, as well as the costs of those who sponsor the war in Ukraine in the West.

Posted by: Виктор | Apr 11 2024 15:46 utc | 27

From an article on Sputnik about Kherson sabotage groups - testimony of captured soldier:

"Western security services, in particular the UK's SAS and SBS special air and naval services, have been training Ukrainian soldiers to carry out sabotage attack against the Russian fleet and the Crimean infrastructure, a FSB officer who chose to remain anonymous clarified in a video posted by the service.
However, they neither plan the operations properly, nor make the effort to protect Ukraine's military personnel, as evident from the testimony of the detained Ukrainian marine, he added.
"Using Ukraine as a firing range, and its servicepeople as an expendable product for testing and upgrading newly developed arms and tactics of their use, the British security services do not bother planning thoroughly thought-out terrorist acts and precisely worked-out operations," the FSB officer said.
Furthermore, the United Kingdom is actively providing Ukrainian special forces with intelligence equipment and new types of explosives, including experimental samples."

Romania recently destroyed a derelict Ukrainian drone boat with a 500kg explosive on board. Boat derived from US gift, explosive Soviet era repurposed. Live fire testing and experimentation using a subservient population. UK special forces training base near Salisbury used to prepare Ukrainian suicide squads.

Posted by: the pessimist | Apr 11 2024 15:47 utc | 28

Ukraine war: Key power plant near Kyiv destroyed by Russian strikes
By Sarah Rainsford, Eastern Europe correspondent & Laura Gozzi
BBC News
11 April 2024, 14:03 BST
Updated 2 hours ago

Posted by: Babel-17 | Apr 11 2024 15:54 utc | 29

Unimperator @3

Re: Russia destroying UKR infrastructure that NATO would be using if it enters UKR.

Intelligent speculation. This will greatly increase the logistic tail--fuel alone to fire generators...

To this one might add that if Russia has not attacked generation & oil & gas infrastructure before, it's cause:
* they actually didn't want to impose hardship on civilians.
* they did not want to create a humanitarian crisis as a pretext for a NATO 'humanitarian mission'.

Since NATO / Coaltion of the Willing is now planning to enter anyway, let them count the humanitarian, and energy demands among the costs.

Whatever Russia does in this regard will still pale next to the horrors in Gaza that the Western disinformation machine waves away...

Posted by: Paul Damascene | Apr 11 2024 15:54 utc | 30

"Like Churchill said of his Middle East Generals in 1941 can also be said of current Ukrainian Generals:

"Lions being led by donkeys"

Posted by: canuck | Apr 11 2024 14:02 utc | 1

Churchill, of course, being the biggest ass of the bunch- but convinced he was a lion."

Posted by: Honzo | Apr 11 2024 15:06 utc | 16

Well, you don't obviously know much about Churchill; politics aside, which were ugly, but Churchill was a lion. Are you familiar with Winston him leading his 4th Hussars in India as a young man to the regimental championship while having to tie an injured arm in a sling? (1)

Or are you aware that Churchill while serving as war correspondence in the Boer war was captured. He then escaped and made his way back yo England:

"To say Winston Churchill was an ambitious young man would be a classic example of English understatement. By the age of 25, the freckled-faced redhead had already written three books, run unsuccessfully for Parliament and participated in four wars on three continents. Nicknamed “Pushful, the Younger” by a newspaper reporter, Churchill hungered for fame and glory and was hardly shy in sharing the belief that he would one day become prime minister. “I have faith in my star that I am intended to do something in the world,” he wrote to his mother.

“Churchill knew he would do extraordinary things—but not everyone else did,” Candice Millard, author of the new book “Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill,” tells HISTORY. “He knew he needed to prove it to a broader audience, and he thinks war is his vehicle to political power.”

Chasing the ghost of his distant ancestor John Churchill, the great British general whose figure literally loomed over the family’s estate at Blenheim Palace from atop a triumphant column, young Winston “threw himself into unbelievably dangerous situations,” Millard says. While working as a newspaper correspondent and military observer with the Spanish army during an uprising in Cuba, a bullet whistled just a foot past his head and killed a horse standing next to him. In British India, he survived a bloody battle in which he had seen friends mutilated by the enemy. Churchill believed greater forces than simple luck were at work. “I do not believe the Gods would create so potent a being as myself for so prosaic an ending,” he wrote to his mother.

When Britain went to war with the Boers in southern Africa in 1899, the future prime minister saw a chance to once again make a name for himself. Confirming Churchill’s assessment that “my literary talents do not exist in my imagination alone,” the London Morning Post won a fierce bidding war for his pen by agreeing to pay him $150,000 in present-day money for just four months’ work—a sum that exceeded those paid to either famed authors Rudyard Kipling or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle for similar work covering the Boer War.(3)"

Churchill became First Lord of the Admiralty : during WW1 he masterminded the disastrous Gallipoli campaign resigned his cabinet position and volunteered as a Lieutenant Colonel on the front lines in Belgium.

That is the life of a Lion; if you think otherwise, you are lacking basic objectivity.

1." In 1899 the Inter-Regimental Cup – the oldest polo tournament in the world – took place in Meerut, India. Churchill, clearly accident prone, fell, again, the day before departing for Meerut, re-injuring his shoulder and spraining both of his ankles. But despite these setbacks he qualified to play for the 4th Hussars. His team – the underdogs – scored a record number of goals and came out victorious, their win commemorated with a three-handled silver championship trophy and celebrated with a festive dinner in the city, hosted by the 5th Dragoon Guards and their commander, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Baden-Powell." (2)

2. https://dbpoloclub.com/winston-churchill-polo-player/

3. https://www.history.com/news/the-daring-escape-that-forged-winston-churchill

Posted by: canuck | Apr 11 2024 15:55 utc | 31

Sorry, on my phone and accidentally posted the above before adding in the link. The BBC giving this big news its own prominent article might wake up some people, and maybe that's the point of it. 😉

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68788110

Posted by: Babel-17 | Apr 11 2024 15:57 utc | 32

@ Honzo | Apr 11 2024 15:39 utc | 25

nice analysis honzo... i can't discount your analysis either..

Posted by: james | Apr 11 2024 15:58 utc | 33

i'd also like to second @ Paul Damascene | Apr 11 2024 15:54 utc | 30 comment to @ unimperator | Apr 11 2024 14:21 utc | 3

thanks guys..

Posted by: james | Apr 11 2024 16:01 utc | 34

https://x.com/sumlenny/status/1778348007773077548


Shouldn't he be happy about it? The Ukranazi regime wants decommunisation and the entire Ukrainian electricity generation system that Russia is methodically destroying was built by the Soviet communists.

Posted by: Biswapriya Purkayast | Apr 11 2024 16:01 utc | 35

https://x.com/olex_scherba/status/1778354341604209052


So....exactly what are you going to do with the "aid"? Burn stacks of dollars in thermal power plants to generate energy?

Posted by: Biswapriya Purkayast | Apr 11 2024 16:01 utc | 36

It appears paranoia & deep suspicion (some long term effects of Slava Cocaini) are really kicking in with Saint Zelensky.
His latest Axel Springer interview (amplified by their Yankee protégé Politico) aims for a delirious blend of McCarthyite 'reds under the bed' rhetoric & good old fashioned German 'stabbed in the back' outrage.
It appears those dastardly Russians, despite having no current skin in the Western media space are according to Z, distorting "the information field of the world" through lobbying!

"They have their lobbies everywhere: in the United States, in the EU countries, in Britain, in Latin America, in Africa."

While I can only speak as a citizen of the UK, I can with some assurance say that the country's virulent Russophobia is still alive and kicking & the very idea of a 'Russian lobby' adroitly manipulating the information space is insane in the mucous membrane.
I'm guessing whoever wrote this piece is a fellow cocainista:

"The Ukrainian leader expressed concern that irrational thinking and delusional fantasies of peacemaking might lead other Western allies into making damaging political and diplomatic mistakes."

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/04/09/zelenskyy-invites-trump-ukraine-russia-00151310

Posted by: FakeBelieve | Apr 11 2024 16:02 utc | 37

@ canuck | Apr 11 2024 15:55 utc | 31

i recommend the book Winston Churchill: His Times, His Crimes by Tariq Ali for a different perspective..

Posted by: james | Apr 11 2024 16:07 utc | 38

37 - Yes, fancy that. I have to struggle to find a pro-Russian view of the SMO, and quite often only by finding Russian-language sites, but Zelensky sees Russian lobbyists everywhere.
It reminds me of encountering Jewish (though not Israeli) students in Britain in 1982 at the time of the Lebanon war, and they seemed to think the "Arab lobby" was everywhere...

Posted by: Waldorf | Apr 11 2024 16:08 utc | 39

Posted by: canuck | Apr 11 2024 15:55 utc | 31

We have a Churchill fan boy here! Why not all this bravery in Canada? India was not a playground for the British.

The history you quote is wrong! Made up! Unverifiable! That is why they wrote fake news about India.

I am surprised that you think written history is true account; that is the garbage they teach in Canada! You said that you will make a great diplomat: you see they need non-objective "humanities graduates" to sell this stuff to.

Posted by: Nasir | Apr 11 2024 16:10 utc | 40

Just read a blurb that NATO scrambled jets during a recent rather large Russian missile strike.... wouldn't surprise me if NATO jets were trying to shoot down Russian missiles from NATO air space, even venture into 404 air space for closer kill shot....first time I've seen reported, NATO jets scrambled (outside the Polish incident) during missile strike.

Cheers M

Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Apr 11 2024 16:13 utc | 41

Reports that Ukrainian citizens have begun sharing troop and equipment locations with the Russians. The state intimidation of 'dissidents' seems to be breaking down.

Agree with Honzo that Russian operations are not retaliation but planned strategy. The end game approaches.

Posted by: the pessimist | Apr 11 2024 16:13 utc | 42

b on April 11, 2024 at 13:53 UTC | Permalink

One might think that the negative effects from the above are significant enough to lead to a change in policies.

How come I do not expect to see any?

Thanks for this observation.
No change in policies means that that are focused on going all the way in. If a MSM media narrative changes against a current one, that would signal a change. Since that is not happening it appears that it is a really hard thing to swallow - 'the walk away' from an original intention.
Russia knows that the West is determined to destroy its core and subdue it and the underestimation was bedded in a wrong idea - as long as it takes.
What the West needs to understand is that Russia and Russia only, will finish this skirmish when they see fit. Nobody else can influence that, except perhaps China and to some extent Iran. The West stopped to be, but is not aware of it. Yet.

Posted by: whirlX | Apr 11 2024 16:15 utc | 43

Posted by: Waldorf | Apr 11 2024 16:08 utc | 39

Perhaps this will be a help in the search. There is a button on the website to switch to English.
https://globalaffairs.ru/articles/pushki-slyshno-luchshe/

Posted by: Виктор | Apr 11 2024 16:21 utc | 44

The collective waste has reached its limit, capacity and ability to defeat motherland Russia. This is the worst defeat since the Vietnam war. In the EU, Poland together with France and Germany will experience the worst outcome of all. Stupidity has no bounds.

Posted by: AI | Apr 11 2024 16:30 utc | 45

why didn't you listen to the experts for two years, who predicted what was happening back in May 2022 and offered to do business for two years, and not to fuck around and publish?

I have a question in return for Arestovich; Why TF didn't you advise 'elensky to ignore Johnson and cut a deal with the RF, and save hundreds of thousands of lives?
Arestovich and Stultenberg deserve to have all kinds of living eff beaten out of them.

Posted by: robjira | Apr 11 2024 16:32 utc | 46

After 2 years of piecemeal destruction not to overwhelm Ukrainian brothers and sisters with impossible infrastructure failure and destruction the Russians are finally destroying the whole Ukie power grid... in April and not December... just so their Ukrainian brothers and sisters at least do not freeze to death.

Posted by: Mann friedmann | Apr 11 2024 16:39 utc | 47

44 - Thanks, it looks useful.

Posted by: Waldorf | Apr 11 2024 16:39 utc | 48

Europe and NATO think only of the effect of the Ukraine war will have on Europe should Ukraine collapse. The Euros do not consider the plight of Alaskans who live a stones throw from Russian . Why would Russian feel comfortable with the US on its eastern border ?
Alaskans have considered their geographic position and recent polls indicate 36 % think independence might be a good idea.
A bridge route across the Bering sea connecting Alaska to Russia would be far more beneficial to Alaska than operating as a militarily outpost to thwart Russia .

Posted by: Cheryl | Apr 11 2024 16:39 utc | 49

Mary

“Since early in the smo, I've followed the substack of an American ex-pat living in Kiev. He hates Russia … “

Meanwhile on Telegram there is another “American Expat” living in Moscow and aligned with Russia against the Fourth Reich. It’s a good channel worth following. Yesterday he was paintballing with some dudes in the woods …

Posted by: Andrew Sarchus | Apr 11 2024 16:47 utc | 50

canuck | Apr 11 2024 14:02 utc | 1

Churchill did not come up with the expression, which is said to have been used by a Russian officer after the Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimea.

The expression, attributed at the time to to Ludendorff, was first used regarding the First World War when Haig was charged with callousness and incompetence after the first day of the Somme, in which, inter alia, the Newfoundland Regiment was reduced to a handful of survivors. The British army as a whole suffered 60,000 casualties, a third of whom were killed.
Churchill subsequently criticised Haig, years after the war. Lloyd George, who came to power in the wake of the Somme, believed that the Generals were wrong to believe that the war could only be won on the Western Front. This was one of the reasons why he supported the idea of a Jewish state in Palestine and promoted the Balfour Declaration.

Crimea and Palestine plus ca change...

Posted by: bevin | Apr 11 2024 16:48 utc | 51

@james 38

thx for the Ali recommendation.

(just started with this long interview on Jacobin about slave trade by Ali´s NLR colleague, Blackburn.)

"Slavery Was Crucial for the Development of Capitalism"
https://jacobin.com/2024/04/robin-blackburn-the-reckoning-slavery-capitalism

Posted by: AG | Apr 11 2024 16:49 utc | 52

re: Elmagnostic | Apr 11 2024 14:52 utc | 10

you complain:
"Russia has not attacked any of the nuclear power plants in Ukraine."
The Half-Measures Quasi Special War.

Yves Smith explains that "Russia has destroyed the largest generating plant in the Kiev oblast, Tripilska Power Plant . . . this further reduction of Ukraine’s generating capacity has knock-on effects, most importantly forcing further big cuts via soon necessitating the shutdown of nuclear reactors."

This method of shutting down nuclear power plants essentially eliminates the possibility of catastrophic releases of ionizing radiation, as opposed to the Ukrainian approach of lobbing explosives at them.

Posted by: Perimetr | Apr 11 2024 16:50 utc | 53

"Ukraine is trying to hurt Russia by hitting its refineries. But the attacks fail to have the desired effects on Russia."

Well... kinda. For sure they are not as effective as Russia's strikes on Ukraine, but the fact Russia has banned exports of refined petroleum products indicates they are at least more than a bit nervous about their reduced output:

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/27/russia-to-ban-gasoline-exports-for-six-months

Posted by: Rubiconned | Apr 11 2024 16:53 utc | 54

@ AG | Apr 11 2024 16:49 utc | 52

thanks! he's a good writer.. i will check your link out..

Posted by: james | Apr 11 2024 16:53 utc | 55

There to me missing an overlying explanation as to why NATO wants to support Ukraine, with or without the Russian SMO? No one has made that clear to me.

Posted by: snake | Apr 11 2024 15:03 utc | 14

First and foremost the USA doesn't want an alliance between Russia and China. That puts those two countries in an unassailable position. It's the McKinder heartland theory come to fruition.

Second Ukraine is the most resource rich country in Europe. If for example the Germans were able to grab hold of Ukraine they would immediately become self sufficient in agriculture and most of the minerals they need for heavy industry. Go a little further and reach the Caucasus like Adolf tried to do in 1941 and you're self sufficient in energy as well.

Americans are an evangelical bunch. They not only believe God is on their side but that if you scratch the surface of any Russian there is an American just waiting for Putin to be gone so they can enjoy real MacDonalds hamburgers and Disney movies once again. They also kinda covet Ukraines resource wealth. If only sanctions and arming Ukraine worked they would now own most of Ukraine in exchange for war debt.

Posted by: NB_norica | Apr 11 2024 16:57 utc | 56

Notice that Russia chooses to knock out the Ukrainian power grid in the spring -- rather than autumn or winter.

The timing of the de-electrification of Ukraine means the people can flee the cities without freezing to death in the process, and will have time to find alternative shelter before next winter arrives.

Posted by: Perimetr | Apr 11 2024 16:58 utc | 57

“…Those attacks could have a knock-on effect in terms of the global energy situation. …”

Zelensky/Budonov: “exactly. Is feature not bug. Give money and coke. Lots and lots of it, especially coke. Then attacks stop maybe”

Posted by: nwwoods | Apr 11 2024 16:58 utc | 58

@ ag - here is a review of that book i mention, also on jacobin

Winston Churchill’s Legacy Is Indefensible

Posted by: james | Apr 11 2024 16:59 utc | 59

I'm prone to thinking that the parts of the energy grid that these attacks have so thoroughly broken by dint of missile and drone attacks can be kept in a broken state by just drone attacks. Repairs will require trucks with equipment, tools, and workers, and they will also require construction equipment like backhoes. All of that can be destroyed by drone attacks, and needless to say the workers would be distracted by the incessant sound of those attacking drones.

Germans simply must feel history being recapitulated as they hear reports of the Russian Federtion knocking out the power in major cities, including Kiev, by aerial bombardment. Will it take Zelenskyy being reduced to operating from a bunker for the German government to see the wisdom in cutting their losses?

They should heed the wisdom of General Patton in regards how America will eventually regard the conflict.

"Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser."

and

"No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country."

Imo, the poor dumb bastards fighting and dying for Zelenskyy shouldn't pin any hopes on the United States Cavalry riding in to save that sad sack of a loser, not if the mood of the American electorate just prior to a momentous general election counts for anything.

Posted by: Babel-17 | Apr 11 2024 17:01 utc | 60

Posted by: canuck | Apr 11 2024 15:55 utc | 31

Lets not forget that Churchill was also the mastermind behind Gallipoli. If Churchill wasn't a Spencer he would never have commanded a platoon let alone led the country.

Posted by: HB_Norica | Apr 11 2024 17:03 utc | 61

@Perimetr | Apr 11 2024 16:50 utc | 53

This was the fate of ZNPP in Kherson after the Russian withdrawal from the right bank of the Dnipr R. Cold shutdown and outside power to run cooling systems. They were getting this power from Ukraine I believe, but by now I expect they have a Russian solution beyond running diesel generators constantly.

Posted by: the pessimist | Apr 11 2024 17:03 utc | 62

The Ukraine's nuclear power plants will not be damaged, but the stations that distribute their power can be wrecked.

Posted by: Cyril | Apr 11 2024 17:08 utc | 63

But I cannot see any reason for taxpayers to agree that the tax payer financed government should solve investor profit problems that arise in far away lands?


Posted by: snake | Apr 11 2024 15:03 utc | 14

.........................

You are injecting reasonablness where it is not wanted!

Posted by: scorpion | Apr 11 2024 17:09 utc | 64

Blackrock must be pissed ... their little investment is being shit-holified right before their eyes.

These filthy pigmen will die in a puddle of their own vomit before this is over.

Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Apr 11 2024 17:20 utc | 65

Виктор | Apr 11 2024 16:21 utc | 44

Yes, a great article by Pukhov. Thanks for pointing to it.
But his last few sentences are happening. The second wave of equipment is not refurb, but a hi tech stuff, and a plenty of it, still accumulating.
The issues I had was a totally wrong assessments on Ukraine by Patrushev and Co.
At the night of start of the SMO, I watched Putin and the crowd assessing each other departments, Medvedev spoke on Chechnya and he said go ahead, as sanctions and such certainly coming the Russia's way would not do much harm and the country was ready, and the last before Putin signed was a naive Patrushev's insecure intel and security sit-rep that was standing out, as everything was peachy and fine and Ukraine will not fight as they would be scared, the they were on Crimea. That caused Operation Danube 2.0 to fail. Kiev 40 mile convoy cringe etc.
Russia should have gone in full force, with 100 battalions just for Kiev.


Posted by: whirlX | Apr 11 2024 17:29 utc | 66

"@ canuck | Apr 11 2024 15:55 utc | 31

i recommend the book Winston Churchill: His Times, His Crimes by Tariq Ali for a different perspective.."

Posted by: james | Apr 11 2024 16:07 utc | 38

Look I am talking about him as a man- I am not a fan of Churchill's policies; in 1895 Lord Randolph Churchill, Winston's father, died owing 66,000 pounds (an enormous sum in 1895) to Nathan Rothschild which Rothschild wrote off-sort of-in 1921 when Churchill was Minister of the Colonies Rothschild got some back with Churchill's pro Zionist policies in Palestine which has had lasting detriment to this day as we painfully observe.

How many Western leaders have gone to the front lines to fight.....I give the man credit.

I don't share the Leftist Manichean View of Men-if they are 'evil' than everything they do is bad; and if they fit the radical Leftist ideal he/she can do no wrong.

A rather childish lens to interpret our world.

Posted by: canuck | Apr 11 2024 17:29 utc | 67

What's the reason for the massive campaign of attacks on power plants? Why now?
It's too big & systematic for mere 'tit for tat' retaliation imo.

Dima recently opined that knocking out power in Kharkov is aimed at prompting civilians to leave the city, to reduce casualties in an upcoming offensive. Is that plausible?

(reposting this question from the open thread)

The timing of the de-electrification of Ukraine means the people can flee the cities without freezing to death in the process, and will have time to find alternative shelter before next winter arrives.

Perimetr | Apr 11 2024 16:58 utc | 57

Yup, agree - last major campaign against energy infra was in late 2022, and didn't serve much purpose.

Posted by: smuks | Apr 11 2024 17:30 utc | 68

b

your site is now "officially" renamed; Moon Over Alabama!

https://grahamefuller.com/john-mearsheimer-gets-it-right-on-ukraine-and-gaza-but-should-his-realism-be-guiding-americas-strategic-direction/

Posted by: Rd | Apr 11 2024 17:31 utc | 69

Europe and NATO think only of the effect of the Ukraine war will have on Europe should Ukraine collapse. The Euros do not consider the plight of Alaskans who live a stones throw from Russian . Why would Russian feel comfortable with the US on its eastern border ?
Alaskans have considered their geographic position and recent polls indicate 36 % think independence might be a good idea.
A bridge route across the Bering sea connecting Alaska to Russia would be far more beneficial to Alaska than operating as a militarily outpost to thwart Russia .

Posted by: Cheryl | Apr 11 2024 16:39 utc | 49
.
.Well Alaska now has another problem...
Their fishing rights were revoked in Russian territories.
You have to know that around 45% of the catch quotas of all crab species came from exactly these areas.
In Alaska, one in three people works in or for this area.

Posted by: ossi | Apr 11 2024 17:32 utc | 70

Churchill's bunglings are legend.......Ireland 1916-1923; Norway 1940; Crete 1941; Gallipoli 1915, Yugoslavia 1944........if Churchill was an MLB pitcher his ERA would be 20.0 with an 0 -5 record....

Churchill was a PR specialist who loved to drink vodka with Stalin too........FDR bailed his sorry arse out of a jam.....otherwise they would be speaking German in London as we speak.......

Posted by: Tobias Cole | Apr 11 2024 17:36 utc | 71

One of Ukie's primary sources of foreign exchange was earned via the sale of electricity to EU along with gas transit and storage fees. Eliminating most Ukie electricity generation also eliminates its ability to sell it while also aiding demilitarization via deenergization. Many Pro-Russian sites were very forceful in their criticism of Russia's General Staff for not doing all this earlier. Ukie/NATO military will now need to use generators to produce the electricity required to utilize its ISR capabilities instead of merely hooking up to local distribution networks. That makes all such generators much easier targets via their infrared signatures. If you can't run your ISR stuff, what advantage NATO/Ukies have/had in that realm vanishes immediately. Comms can run on batteries for a short period, but those batteries will need to be recharged. I shouldn't need to explain the importance of comms on today's battlefield, particularly in directing drone warfare, counterbattery and AD work. I can still recall the never-ending humming of generators on FTXs; our unit relied on them 100% and thermal detection revealed the locations of our LPs. Not much has changed 40 years later.

As for the new tactic of lobbing in multiple FABs onto a target followed by a lightening infantry assault, I see no ready defense, and given their accuracy, laying them in a string abreast as I mentioned several weeks ago allows for an attack on a somewhat wider front, say 200m. And if the front being attacked is deenergized and ISR blind, then the Ukies have little choice.

Posted by: karlof1 | Apr 11 2024 17:37 utc | 72

Now that Europe is in over their heads and no way back out, Russia is turning up the head. Energy - I have to laugh. The woke greens of Europe that cut off their energy supplies from Russia now have to supply their proxy with energy.... perhaps turning up the heat is the wrong expression come to think of it.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Apr 11 2024 17:40 utc | 73

@61 HB_Norica | Apr 11 2024 17:03 utc

Richard Poe considers another reason for the “debacle” at Gallipoli. It’s an intriguing notion, although I haven’t spent enough time on it to have a view either way.

Most historians blame the Gallipoli disaster on recklessness and incompetence. However, some suggest that the British deliberately pulled their punches, allowing the Turks to win.

How the British Invented Communism

Posted by: echelon | Apr 11 2024 17:41 utc | 74

The Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN Vasily Nebenzya called for preparations for the fact that “very soon the only topic of all international meetings on Ukraine will be the unconditional surrender of the Kiev regime.”
He advised all participants to prepare themselves and their population for the topic so that not everyone could be surprised again.

Posted by: ossi | Apr 11 2024 17:41 utc | 75

Posted by: canuck | Apr 11 2024 15:55 utc | 31

Re: Churchill

----

I would mention that Churchill's normal state was, to quote Charles Stross, "somewhere between over-caffeinated and hitting the crystal meth". He drank constantly to tamp down the mania.

Yes, he got things moving, and took a lot of risks. But I would say about him what some wag said about Oliver North:

He's the guy you want with you in a foxhole; just don't ask how you got into the foxhole in the first place.

That said, his politics were awful. He was a murderous colonialist. He and FDR disagreed a lot over that.

Posted by: john brewster | Apr 11 2024 17:44 utc | 76

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Apr 11 2024 17:40 utc | 73

An interesting question is just how much was the EU betting on getting cheap electricity imports from Ukraine.

We certainly know EU bet the lot on Ukrainian agriculture (owned by Monstanto, etc.) would provide cheap grain. Which EU used in order to dismantle domestic agriculture, through killing the fertilizer industry and usage.

Is energy the same?

Posted by: unimperator | Apr 11 2024 17:44 utc | 77

With defeat approaching, Kiev is relying more and more on terror instead of the army at the front. Meanwhile, the West is losing control of the Ukrainian leadership because people in Kiev are becoming less and less willing to vote with the Western masters.
.
The Zaporozhye nuclear power plant will one day enter the military annals of the Russian energy industry, as strange as that may sound. The object is unique because, as in the universe of the famous computer game "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.", all foreigners fall into a kind of anomaly that obscures their vision, hearing and thinking.

Ukrainian attack on nuclear power plant in Zaporozhye
Ukrainian attack on nuclear power plant in Zaporozhye
The United Nations has announced that a meeting of the Council of the Specialized Atomic Energy Agency will be held on April 11. What is noteworthy is that the meeting was called almost simultaneously by two sides, first by Moscow and, just a few hours later, by Kiev. It is related to another attack on the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, which occurred in several waves. Attack drones first attacked the fifth and sixth power plant blocks, and in the second wave the training complex, canteen and buildings in the cargo port area were hit. As a result, three employees of Rosatom (the company that ensures the maintenance of the power plant) were injured.

Russia's Foreign Ministry rightly described the events as a terrorist act and named Ukraine as the organizer and the United States of America, along with its loyal vassals, as the ideological and financial sponsors of these attacks. This is another slap in the face for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The Russian Foreign Ministry recalled that Moscow had expressly allowed the mission representatives to stay permanently at the plant in order, firstly, to eliminate any allegations of improper operation of the nuclear power plant, which could allegedly lead to a kind of "second Chernobyl", as it was said that Kiev propaganda loves to selflessly invent. And secondly, so that Rafael Grossi's employees on site can clearly point out the organizer of the terrorist attacks. Unfortunately, the regularly changing IAEA teams at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant behave as if they were brainwashing like the infamous "S.T.A.L.K.E.R." would be at work: You simply see and hear: nothing.

“We are facing a possible nuclear catastrophe” – Director of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant on drone attack
“We are facing a possible nuclear catastrophe” – Director of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant on drone attack
If you put emotions aside and assess the situation comprehensively, it is much more complicated and dangerous than it seems at first glance.

The Zaporozhye nuclear power plant is attacked with regrettable regularity.

In July last year, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate published a scheme alleging that Russian troops had mined the nuclear power plant. The IAEA kept a low profile for a long time and only bothered to issue a statement in September that all of this was complete nonsense and that there were no explosives at the facility. However, a month later - after endorsing a resolution by Canada and France - the same IAEA called on Russia to immediately hand over the nuclear power plant to full control by Ukraine. Of course, this was ignored in Moscow, and so this agency repeated the request on March 8th this year - with the same result.

Already on March 22, the power plant was attacked again, which led to the shutdown of the 750-kilovolt high-voltage line of the Dnieper Energodar overhead line junction. The IAEA remained silent as usual, while Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko expressed great joy over the incident. On April 5, Rafael Grossi declared that the 330-kilovolt emergency power line for the nuclear power plant had failed, without specifying the reasons, but did not forget to point out that the power plant was in danger and that risks to nuclear safety remained.

In short, the neutrality and impartiality that the International Atomic Energy Agency likes to boast about is only reflected in the fact that the IAEA has not yet blamed Russia for the attacks on the nuclear power plant. Otherwise, the organization clearly follows the mainstream of pro-Ukrainian politics in the West.

Posted by: ossi | Apr 11 2024 17:52 utc | 78

unimperator | Apr 11 2024 17:44 utc | 77 "An interesting question is just how much was the EU betting on getting cheap electricity imports from Ukraine."

That was on my mind and see karlof1 has mentioned it as well.

It starting to look a fairly sure thing US has dumped Europe and is circling the wagons consisting of the allies it needs to attack china. The Island chain thing, India and whatever else it can rope in in the region.

The Europeans look like budgie that has been released from its cage and expected to fend for itself in the wild. A cat or something soon eats it.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Apr 11 2024 17:52 utc | 79

@Posted by: john brewster | Apr 11 2024 17:44 utc | 76

Churchill failed miserably and was on the way out until El Alamein, at which he had massively over-weighted the British side against a badly supplied and over-extended Rommel. It was a meaningless victory given the relative strengths, which had sucked troops and resources away from South East Asia. It was overblown by the controlled press as a massive victory which saved Churchill and made a hero of the mediocre Montgomery, who was only really implementing his predecessor Auchinleck's plan and then failed to follow up on the victory and let Rommel escape. Churchill and Montgomery's public status is far, far ahead of their reality.

Posted by: Roger | Apr 11 2024 17:53 utc | 80

The Biden administration saying it is against Ukraine striking Russian oil refineries is the usual US "plausible denial". Ignore.

Russia taking out Ukrainian power plants means the electricity will be supplied by the European Union, and the Ukrainian bills paid by EU citizens. Remember when Ukraine used Russian gas that was transiting from Russia to Germany: Ukraine spends, and Europe pays.

Oh, and no-one in Brussels is suggesting that Ukraine should use solar and wind. Not even our German FM Annalena Baerbock.

Posted by: Passerby | Apr 11 2024 17:54 utc | 81

@Posted by: canuck | Apr 11 2024 17:29 utc | 67

He was a bought and paid for drunk sot utter loser as a man, his wife certainly treated him that way, and certainly the last person that I would want with me in a fox hole. That is not a "childish" position, as certainly Tariq Ali's excellent book is not, it is an informed one.

Posted by: Roger | Apr 11 2024 17:58 utc | 82

Sorry, on my phone and accidentally posted the above before adding in the link. The BBC giving this big news its own prominent article might wake up some people, and maybe that's the point of it. 😉

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68788110

Posted by: Babel-17 | Apr 11 2024 15:57 utc | 32

LMAO, they just won't quit with that "Russia annexed Crimea in 2014" graphic on all their maps.

Posted by: McAgnew | Apr 11 2024 17:59 utc | 83

That is the life of a Lion; if you think otherwise, you are lacking basic objectivity.

Posted by: canuck | Apr 11 2024 15:55 utc | 31

How about the following citation from the lion?


“I do not understand this squeamishness about the use of gas…I am strongly in favour of using poisoned gases against uncivilized tribes”.

Posted by: Arata | Apr 11 2024 18:01 utc | 84

We have a Churchill fan boy here!
Posted by: Nasir | Apr 11 2024 16:10 utc | 40

LMAO, he was a real lion, he played polo! "You see, you must pay attention, Token. I was able to jollyrow your davishmere with a forecastle."

Posted by: McAgnew | Apr 11 2024 18:05 utc | 85

Posted by: Roger | Apr 11 2024 17:53 utc | 80

Yes, El Alamein was yet another PR show. Don't get me started on that grandstanding martinet, Montgomery. It took him ten days to break through the German lines, despite the massive disparity you mentioned.

But, as the article referenced by james (( | Apr 11 2024 16:59 utc | 59 )) mentions, Churchill and Montgomery are the sad bits of glue holding togehter the Thatcherian reboot of the British Empire. It is verboten to criticize these guys because they are trotted out constantly to justify and motivate the heavily tarnished British exceptionalism.

Posted by: john brewster | Apr 11 2024 18:07 utc | 86

Posted by: Roger | Apr 11 2024 17:58 utc | 82

...certainly the last person that I would want with me in a fox hole.

----

My remark emphasizes more of the "how did we get in this mess" than "I'm glad I have this raving Caesar manque at my side."

I can see that you might object.

Posted by: john brewster | Apr 11 2024 18:10 utc | 87

Why not modify those glider-bombs for EMP work, and take out most intermediate or local transformer yards.
JPS

Posted by: JP Straley | Apr 11 2024 18:14 utc | 88

The attacks on Ukro electric infrastructure are tge first sign that the people in Kremlin are begining to understand the nature of this war. This is a very good move. By full destruction of electrical network in Ukraine, Russia can fotce millions to move to EU. Russia must make Ukrainian population and EU population to suffer. It is not nice but that can end tgecwar faster.

Posted by: vargas | Apr 11 2024 18:21 utc | 89

Posted by: snake | Apr 11 2024 15:03 utc | 14

There to me missing an overlying explanation as to why NATO wants to support Ukraine, with or without the Russian SMO? No one has made that clear to me.

Putin has raised the standard of living in Russia for LABOR, thereby removing the reason for NATO’s existence, which had been protecting people from tyranny and oppression. NATO is a boondoggle (a noun or verb that means a wasteful or worthless project or work, often funded by taxpayers,) which is fighting for its life, a giant military industrial project struggling for a reason to exist.

In addition, Putin has forced resource extractors to pay living wages and taxes to support healthcare, education, law enforcement, and infrastructure, again, to benefit the working class, which leads to his popularity. NATO wishes to destroy all of that and to bring Russia back to its Yeltsin period of rapacious plunder in support of London banks, all at the expense of the Russian workforce.

Ukraine represents NATO’s model of freedom and democracy, a country with the lowest standard of living in Europe, in spite of its resources and previous infrastructure, where an energy-holding company, Burisma, can pay an American lawyer $50,000 a month for 5 years, while the IMF requires the workforce to give up school lunches, hospital meals, and pension benefits, driving LABOR into the ditch.

NATO is fighting for its existence and for its immunity from from prosecution for crimes against humanity, also known as justice.

Posted by: Linda Wood | Apr 11 2024 18:26 utc | 90

Like Churchill said of his Middle East Generals in 1941 can also be said of current Ukrainian Generals:

"Lions being led by donkeys"

Posted by: canuck | Apr 11 2024 14:02 utc | 1

Churchill was an idiot

Just sayin' (not to mention Gallipoli, Dieppe, Anzio).

Posted by: ChatNPC | Apr 11 2024 18:33 utc | 91

Now from around 05/20/24
There are around 140,000 NATO soldiers under the various names for maneuvers, security troops, trainers, etc.
along the Belarusian…Baltic…Polish Ukraine borders…WITHOUT the announced French!!
Look at the different names for this relocation, add them up and you get to around May 20th, 24, where EVERYONE will be ready at the same time.
Why ???
Why is Russia quietly preparing for something bigger...by the way, everything was already analyzed in this way at Tacheles by Mr. Röber (Anti-Spiegel)! THAT around 05/20/24...
Let's wait and see how YOU react if Putin's offensive comes... whether that's the reason???

Posted by: ossi | Apr 11 2024 18:38 utc | 92

"Based on humanitarian considerations, the Russian Federation did not strike power facilities in Ukraine in the winter, but after striking Russian facilities, it had to respond... By striking at Ukraine's energy facilities, it pursues the goal of demilitarization." (Putin at a meeting with Lukashenko)


Dictators and aggressors come to someone in a dream...

Posted by: Виктор | Apr 11 2024 18:41 utc | 93

@88 Re transformers
Russia took out transformers and switch gear once already with drones and missiles earlier in the war. Mainly To warn Ukraine and say "Look what we can do".
Ukraine repaired the damage and found workarounds and restored power to the country.
Ukraine and The West did not heed Russia's warnings. Instead they decided to escalate. Which has not turned out so well for Ukraine.
Now Russia is taking out power plants, Rail road bridges, destroyed the pumps and valving of The largest natural gas storage in Europe, Refineries, and anything else related to infrastructure and manufacturing Russia wants to destroy.

Russia has taken the gloves off. No more Mr nice guy.

Posted by: golddigger | Apr 11 2024 18:45 utc | 94

The Kiev population is 3 Million people. Russia's future plans would include taking all of Eastern Ukraine to the Dnieper River including the cities of Kiev and Odessa. Russia also knows that militarily taking a city of 3 Million population is risky and would have serious political consequences. The ideal situation is to depopulate Kiev... to force up to 3/4ths of the population to evacuate to the West.

Destroying the electrical generation plants and electrical infrastructure all at once would be a bad choice. It would bring on a sudden humanitarian crisis in Kiev which would be counter-productive.

Destroying a large electrical generation plant, and then slowly each few weeks destroying another... and another... and another will make residents of Kiev understand that the city is going to be unlivable for the near future. It encourages them to LEAVE, but at a manageable pace without causing a catastrophe. Leave they must, because there will be no lights, no running water, no water treatment, no sewage treatment, no refrigeration, no cell phone service, no heating or air conditioning, no internet, no working elevators or electronics, etc... . Life in Kiev would be miserable. How could you live on a 4th floor of an apartment building with no water, no flushing toilet, no lights, no ventilation, no electricity? How do you get gasoline from a gas station if the pumps aren't working? How do you access a bank account? No electricity = no fire water hydrants, no police protection, no lots of things. Within a few weeks, most of the city becomes unlivable. People will depopulate and evacuate to the West. The more people leave, the more stores are closed, no restaurants, etc... the more the remaining people will also want to leave.

Russia may increase pressure slowly on Kiev to keep people steadily evacuating. If they can get Kiev down to about 200,000 to 500,000 hold-outs who won't evacuate... then Russia can begin to take Kiev. They must encourage most of the civilian population to leave Kiev first.

Posted by: Retaining_H2O | Apr 11 2024 18:46 utc | 95

… Yup, agree - last major campaign against energy infra was in late 2022, and didn't serve much purpose.

Posted by: smuks | Apr 11 2024 17:30 utc | 68

It put pressure on Kiev to maybe shift politically (they didn’t), it definitely forced Kiev to burn through a large portion of their stocks of Soviet spec. air defence resources attempting to defend energy installations agains cheap Gerans.

Posted by: anon2020 | Apr 11 2024 18:51 utc | 96

Posted by: ossi | Apr 11 2024 18:38 utc | 92

Thank you, interesting. Matches the timeframe of my own prediction, everything is pointing to end of May… :-/

Posted by: Zet | Apr 11 2024 18:55 utc | 97

Posted by: Retaining_H2O | Apr 11 2024 18:46 utc | 95

Ukraine will lose most of its population as they run away from Nato established dictatorship and IMF draconian austerity, tax increases and poverty. It's already happening now. The population will disperse west and east.

Albeit, it looks now like even EU is trying to send Ukrainians back. A lot of them might go to Russia, as it is the safest place.

The new mobilization law is the fullest extent of military dictatorship one can get. It's the end of the road for the state.

Posted by: unimperator | Apr 11 2024 18:59 utc | 98

Posted by: canuck | Apr 11 2024 17:29 utc | 67

Churchill was indeed a Great Man. Which is why his nation stopped when he died and honoured him. Spontaneously. I was very young but remember it well.

He was a master quipster. Exhibit 1:

One day a young intern freshly down from Oxford was tasked by the largely ceremonial Lord Privy Seal to request the nation's Prime Minister to sign a Royal Court document. Eventually, the young man tracked the PM down to the mens' stalls in the House of Parliament where he noticed one in particular from which were issuing billowing clouds of dark, pungent cigar smoke.

'Is this the Prime Minister?' he asks politely.
'Harrumph!' was the guttural reply.
'Your Excellency', he stammered,'the Lord Privy Seal urgently requests your presence to sign a document of great importance to the Crown!'

Pause.
More billowing.
Another 'harrumph!'
Finally:

'Tell the Lord Privy Seal that I am sealed in my privy! And can only deal with one shit at a time!'

A great man. No doubt about it!

Posted by: scorpion | Apr 11 2024 19:03 utc | 99

Churchill, of course, being the biggest ass of the bunch- but convinced he was a lion.

Posted by: Honzo | Apr 11 2024 15:06 utc | 16
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Churchill bears huge responsibility for both world wars.

Posted by: Jane | Apr 11 2024 19:06 utc | 100

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