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May 12, 2024
Ukraine Open Thread 2024-136
Comments
New developments on the Georgian Front:
– Head of US Sanction Department will arrive in Tbilisi tomorrow
– the government made a study, showing that 72% of people with high IQ are for the NGO transparency law
– the law includes “article Nr.8 “which allows unannounced ‘monitoring of NGOs, thus basically spying on all data they handle. Seems that people need to learn how to handle encryption now in Georgia
– there were around 50-100k people peacefully demonstrating yesterday. They hate the ‘lying government which will make them another Russian province’
– the main problem is indeed complete distrust of any fair play from both sides
– only solution would be to replace traumatized, easily triggered fearful human politicians with fearless AI for strictly rational and balanced policy and decision making. Read: no powerplay, no ego, no fear of losing elections.
Posted by: Rudi Ruessel | May 12 2024 14:41 utc | 1
Ukraine was Europe’s poorest country even before the war and now it’s hopeless. Ukraine, unable to face defeats, shell civilians in Belgorod which is a war crime. Kiev must be ruthlessly punished for these crimes.
Posted by: Jason | May 12 2024 14:57 utc | 2
Ukraine was Europe’s poorest country even before the war and now it’s hopeless. Ukraine, unable to face defeats, shell civilians in Belgorod which is a war crime. Kiev must be ruthlessly punished for these crimes.
Posted by: Jason | May 12 2024 14:57 utc | 2
one of
And who will punish them ? With what means ? Just flailing around and filing complaints at the UN will accomplish exactly zilch, nothing.
How extraordinary to think that, a year ago, the merry band of blustering’ barflies was assuring us that Ukraine would never dare attack Russia territory proper. Serious-sounding people were confident that Kiev would sink under a hurricane of fire the moment it tried shelling one of the brand new oblasts, which had just completed their referenda.
Here we are a year later. Belgorod is shelled daily. Russians are dying every day. And the Russian government… Pretends it’s not happening. Or tries yet another incursion into the North. We’ll see how it goes, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt at least for the first days, but I don’t really see how they will have more success than last time without a significant change in tactics. Besides, the strategy isn’t even clear. What are they trying to do ?
On an ironical note, it’s funny how Russia has, with this Kharkov offensive, single-handedly destroyed the arguments of the Muh Attrition crowd. Recall that, according to these brilliant military strategists, Russia was quite content staying where it was and letting the UA hordes impale themselves into their perfectly designed meat grinders. By this logic, launching an attack into Kharkov makes absolutely no sense : why change an absolutely imparable and loss-minimizing strategy to go on an offensive, if it was working so well ? I’m waiting to see which new logical pretzels the blusterin’ barflies will concoct. People will suddenly rediscover their inner Napoleon :-).
Posted by: Micron | May 12 2024 15:09 utc | 3
@ Micron #3
By this logic, launching an attack into Kharkov makes absolutely no sense : why change an absolutely imparable and loss-minimizing strategy to go on an offensive, if it was working so well ? I’m waiting to see which new logical pretzels the blusterin’ barflies will concoct.
1. Because the de-militarisation is largely complete (=> main task is over and resistance is near zero).
2. Because Ukraine is no longer attacking senseless, it is mostly running away intelligently (at last from the troops pov) (=> Russia has to be proactive to kill the rest).
3. To create a zone to protect civilians inside the Russian border from shelling.
No one I have heard of is saying that this is a big arrow large scale by Russia (any more than Russia’s 2022 retreat was a big arrow high risk by Ukraine).
No one is suggesting that Russia casualties have risen above the extreme low levels of this year.
It is a walking pace advance unchallenged by cannon fodder.
And of course walking forwards and burying victims is not the same as occupying large new territories. Not yet anyway.
Posted by: Michael Droy | May 12 2024 15:28 utc | 4
“NATO Could Shoot Down Russian Missiles Over Ukraine From Poland – German Ex-Defense Official” [ https://sputnikglobe.com/20240420/nato-could-shoot-down-russian-missiles-over-ukraine-from-poland—german-ex-defense-official–1118024805.html ]
Globe: 😆 x46 last count. …
Posted by: Laurence | May 12 2024 15:32 utc | 5
Posted by: Micron | May 12 2024 15:09 utc | 3
Some reading, whilst you wait.
http://armchairgeneral.com/tactics-101-037-transitions.htm
Posted by: Milites | May 12 2024 15:39 utc | 6
@3 micron it’s a limited operation, for now and depending, to secure the border and prevent rdk type incursions where they shoot up stuff and yell about Putin.
It’s a response to the shelling of belogorod it took them a while to create a new army to do it.
It’s funny I’ve been reading western attempts to understand this, and no one is getting it, including you.
They all jump to the maximal its an Anti nato big arrow type hysteria. If you actually listen to what Russians say though it’s pretty unambiguous.
Also if you study the tactics, units involved, battle videos and compare and contrast propaganda narratives you see it is more attrition. Especially around volchansk where Russia is waiting for Ukrainian reserves to arrive.
Do the research man.
Posted by: Neofeudalfuture | May 12 2024 15:42 utc | 7
The Judeo-Banderite regime in Kiev is on the rocks. Their time in the catbird seat is seeping away on a daily basis as the RU forces have been augmented in both personnel and armaments to the point where they are now constantly on the attack, nibbling away at Ukie troop concentrations…the power of which to continue resistance is on full ebb-tide.
Russians tend to be strategic thinkers. This policy is made evident by the fact that while Kievan casualties mount on a daily basis; those of the Russians are diminishing accordingly since the earlier months of the conflict. It is highly evident that their war-machine is a carefully calculated colossus.
When the attacking force takes far fewer casualties than the defenders; the outcome is evident to the level of being obvious…excepting those few with micro mentalities and negative attitudes.
Now is the time to consider various postwar options. Galicia and its Uniate, Banderite tendencies, would make for an ideal location for those fleeing from Occupied Palestine who do NOT have dual-citizenship elsewhere; to attain a haven within their original Khazarian Pale of Settlement. Galicia and some of its nearby outposts would become a Quarantine zone for those with no ability to get along with others. Such an entity would have no central regime, rather be governed on a village by village basis.
Posted by: aristodemos | May 12 2024 15:43 utc | 8
Russia “liberates” 4 more territories in Kharkov.
https://tass.com/defense/1786679
Sorry, rather enjoying watching “Western” rhetoric being tossed back into their faces during the “liberation”.
I’ve no idea what the residents of those 4 villages are feeling. But the West drew first blood.
Posted by: Trubind1 | May 12 2024 15:50 utc | 9
Imagine being MORE cuckish for NATO than the BBC. The quality of the local hasbara is falling apart almost as totally as the Ukrainian army.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c72p0xx410xo
Posted by: They Call Me Mister | May 12 2024 15:51 utc | 10
Russians should take off the Kid gloves!
Not smart to give time to build up defence production, they will lose this way. They should have learned from Saddam allowing the build-up in Saudi. If he had been smart he would have taken over KSA and denied the build-up. Russians/ Soviets did the same in Afghanistan, allowed US to arm Taliban. You should never do it. Go for first strike. Never wait!
Posted by: Nasir | May 12 2024 15:54 utc | 11
Weekly Ukraine Update, May 10th 2024: May be useful to some: https://robcampbell.substack.com/p/ukraine-weekly-update-637
Posted by: Dr. Rob Campbell | May 12 2024 15:55 utc | 12
Economist numbers for Ukraine GDP pp
2015$3870
2020 $2963
Posted by: Polli | May 12 2024 15:56 utc | 13
Posted by: Rudi Ruessel | May 12 2024 14:41 utc | 1
—————————————————
+ Too little too late.
+ The bill is expected to pass its third reading next week.
+ US led color revolutions (CIA covert operations) are not longer effective.
“[I] spoke to Derek Chollet and expressed my sincere disappointment with the two revolution attempts of 2020-2023 supported by the former US Ambassador and those carried out through NGOs financed from external sources,” Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze wrote on his social media page.
In addition, he said, “false statements made by the officials of the US State Department about the transparency bill and street rallies” were reminiscent of similar false statements made by Degnan in 2020-2023.
Posted by: AI | May 12 2024 16:05 utc | 14
@ Posted by: Neofeudalfuture | May 12 2024 15:42 utc | 7
Has anyone else noticed that since the fall of Avdiivka that Donetsk city hasn’t been “shelled”, and that the attacks have increased in Belgorod direction?
Ukraine is simply attacking what it can, except attacks on Russia make US news, while attacks of Donetsk did not.
As B noted, Russia claims of 47 artillery taken out in one day is 4 times the normal amount. Ukraine has shifted launchers and ammo to an area that they can’t easily protect, with the results now becoming obvious. Using the ammo against true targets, like, the Russian army, would benefit them a lot more, but insane decisions and just hard to determine.
Posted by: BroncoBilly | May 12 2024 16:07 utc | 15
@Posted by: Neofeudalfuture | May 12 2024 15:42 utc | 7
Russian tactics are to probe for weak points and then rapidly add more troops when such weak points are found to drive home the advantage. Given the light first echelon nature of the Russian units so far committed in the Kharkov area, it is surprising how much success they are having. This could lead to heavier second and third echelon forces being committed and a surprisingly rapid advance.
To stop this from happening the Ukrainians will have to move, and redirect, forces from other fronts to Kharkov which will just make those areas of the front weaker. The Ukrainians are being probed and stretched at the same time. The Russians are already exploiting the breakthrough at Ocheretyne.
Posted by: Micron | May 12 2024 15:09 utc | 3
———————————————
By this logic, launching an attack into Kharkov makes absolutely no sense….
———————————————
It is not an attack. But pushing the enemy far from the border. And it is working. The ukraine morale is very low and Hellensky has one week left, or less depending on whether the MI6 and Zaluzhnyi execute their plan. Time will tell.
For the record, Battlegroup North had liberated the settlements of Borisovka, Ogurtsovo, Pletyonovka, Pylnaya and Strelechya in the Kharkiv Region.
Posted by: AI | May 12 2024 16:17 utc | 17
Posted by: BroncoBilly | May 12 2024 16:07 utc | 15
—————————————————
ukraine is not attacking but the neo-NAZI terrorists commiting crimes against humanity.
Posted by: AI | May 12 2024 16:20 utc | 18
“On an ironical note, it’s funny how Russia has, with this Kharkov offensive, single-handedly destroyed the arguments of the Muh Attrition crowd. Recall that, according to these brilliant military strategists, Russia was quite content staying where it was and letting the UA hordes impale themselves into their perfectly designed meat grinders. By this logic, launching an attack into Kharkov makes absolutely no sense : why change an absolutely imparable and loss-minimizing strategy to go on an offensive, if it was working so well ? I’m waiting to see which new logical pretzels the blusterin’ barflies will concoct. People will suddenly rediscover their inner Napoleon :-).”
Posted by: Micron | May 12 2024 15:09 utc | 3
The ‘logical pretzel’ this blusterin’ barfly would concoct is to simply reject the binary either/or logic of ‘muh attrition’ versus offensive action and conceive of ‘muh attrition’ and/or offensive action depending on the circumstances (I’m not a military minded but I always thought this was the essence of Russia’s ‘active defence’ doctrine).
I may be wrong but your critique seems like an echo of literally every Western talking head since the start of the conflict who, a priori, seems to already know Russia’s entire tactical, logistical & strategic plans.
The most common example is the rudimentary Western propaganda of ‘three days to Kiev’ or as the cookie coup cutter herself Victoria Nuland expressed it in a Politico interview earlier this week:
“Let’s start with the fact that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin has already failed in his objective”
It may be a consequence of a selective reading of comments but the narrative of ‘muh attrition’ seems very much a phantom trope that very few barflies in reality subscribe to. One of the main reasons I come to this site is precisely because there is a more nuanced, multi-faceted viewpoint that isn’t predicated on the kind of either/or logic your critique presumes.
Posted by: FakeBelieve | May 12 2024 16:40 utc | 19
You fight wars with what you have at the moment, not wait to get something special. The Nato population is one billion, the Russians are 160 million.
This means that you are allowing the Nato to find a solution. Last time, during GPW, they had time to develop the Nuclear weapons, they did not have any qualms using them right away.
While all the pseudo-intellectuals who keep telling us that they are so clever that they can calculate the production rate of West’s capacity to produce 155 mm artillery rounds: these gifts from God forget to consider that the development of newer more destructive weapons, which they will most certainly not have any compunction to use.
So idiots: stop wasting time. Stop killing your own soldiers. They did not sign up for years of war! If the stupid political leaders are scared in their old age of possibly dying: here is the news for you! You are old, description, and shitting in your pants and you will not be able to save your own lives for 10 more years! You will die like bumbling fools that you are. Except you will kill hundreds of thousands of your countrymen.
Don’t be a %&$#! Go for it now!
Putin’s life is not more important than any common person!
Those on substack behind the pay walls are misleading stupid people, with counting artillery shell production!
Posted by: Nasir | May 12 2024 16:44 utc | 20
My thoughts on the escalating destruction of the Ukrainian Army, probably reaching a peak in the Summer. Ukraine: The Destruction of the Ukrainian Army Approaches Its Summer Peak
@20 Nasir
Russian Plan A was the quick and cheap option and it failed.
There’s far too much now to unpack to bring you up to speed. Like the Ukrainians like to say the situation is complicated.
Posted by: Neofeudalfuture | May 12 2024 16:52 utc | 22
Micron:
Yeah, the muh attrition crowd wants to have their cake and eat it. Every RFA advance is the UFA deteriorating. Every failure to advance is on purpose.
I give WhirlX a lot of credit for at least making a falsifiable prediction (timing for taking Odessa).
As for me, I give the RFA credit for territory and they just took some. (Let’s not exaggerate the amount or the significance. But it’s something. Maybe we can have a .02% month? First few days were seeming like another .01%er coming. But that north front should help the hectare count.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 12 2024 16:56 utc | 23
Posted by: Rudi Ruessel | May 12 2024 14:41 utc | 1
No. That law is to stop Soros’s NGOs and it should be enacted in all former Soviet block countries if they ever want to have any intrinsic economic growth at all.
Soros targets all ethnic groups that are not aligned with Washington, typically anything Slavic and orthodox is their preference to victimize.
Posted by: alek_a | May 12 2024 17:18 utc | 24
Lithuania’s Prime Minister, Ingrida Šimonytė, has stated that her country is prepared to send its soldiers to Ukraine on a training mission – both of them /sarc
Posted by: Passerby | May 12 2024 17:27 utc | 25
@Posted by: Neofeudalfuture | May 12 2024 16:52 utc | 22
Arrogance and ignorance in a single comment! If you are going to troll you NEED TO DO BETTER!
@Posted by: alek_a | May 12 2024 17:18 utc | 24
Absolutely, and its basically a copy of the US FARA law (which strangely seems to not apply to the Israel lobby). Europe and the US want the right to interfere in other nations while protecting themselves against such interference!
Posted by: Passerby | May 12 2024 17:27 utc | 25
========
In French: “plus c’est petit, plus c’est hargneux”.
The smaller, the more aggressive
Posted by: scc | May 12 2024 17:52 utc | 28
BBC “The Russians simply walked into Kharkiv (sic)”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c72p0xx410xo
What way will the NATO cheerleading trolls spin this in order to cope? Who gives a fuck. Their pesky ramblings blighting this board have no bearing whatsoever on reality.
BBC article starts with a lie that Ukraine fought back Kharkov in 2022 (fact is that Russia made a tactical retreat) then hits on corruption, negligence etc. Narrative setting is ‘west sent the money for defences, where’s all the money gone?’
Maybe the trolls, Julian, anonymous, micron could tell us where the money has gone?
Posted by: Lev Davidovich | May 12 2024 17:54 utc | 29
@ Rudi Ruessel | May 12 2024 14:41 utc | 1
yours is a dumb idea.. AI is being controlled by the intel agencies, the same ones who control all social media, except tik tok which they resent and would like to control as well…
Posted by: james | May 12 2024 18:00 utc | 30
@26 roger
Re: Trolling
Trolling? Hmm let me give it a try.
Your substack would be better if you didn’t base your analysis on Russian MOD reports and unverified assumptions, in particular the defensive arrangements around slaviansk/kramatorsk and pokrovsk.
Honestly I’m not trying to troll anyone just giving what I arrogantly assume are my pearls of wisdom to this group discussion.
So arrogance yes, ignorance – I’m working on fixing that. I think I’m pretty up to speed. 🤷♂️
Posted by: Neofeudalfuture | May 12 2024 18:14 utc | 31
@32 roger
Re: doing better
Well I’m not cussing you out or anything really negative.
So yeah kinda.
Posted by: Neofeudalfuture | May 12 2024 18:22 utc | 33
in todays germany, its chic to write drivel like this and get paid for it. as per anna lührmann, some greens wench:
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin is fighting against our peace and freedom on the battlefields in Ukraine. At the same time, he is trying to destabilize our democracy with lies and manipulation. With our analytical tools, we at the Federal Foreign Office observe every day how Russian accounts flood the European public with propaganda.
repeat and repeat and repeat and never deviate from the narrative!
keep lying until you believe it yourself!
values.
Posted by: Justpassinby | May 12 2024 18:28 utc | 34
The NATO’s most recent idea is to enforce a “no-fly” zone over the Western Ukraine and by doing that, also help taking down future Russian missiles, is really a very bad idea.
They will pressure UN to put a stamp on it. I do not expect that happening, but one never knows how the yarn ball works out for a cat. Never seen happy end there.
Very scary attitude, but it ridiculous too. They really never listen to Russians. A first stupidity of the West – ‘we know nothing about our enemies’. Just what the TV station says.
Do not awake the Cat-people, it never ends well for the bully or a rabid dog.
It will not prolong the conflict, but it will escalate it drastically. From that point, it usually tends to become total entropy and can go any way one can possibly imagine. Or not even.
Posted by: whirlX | May 12 2024 18:29 utc | 35
interesting development..
rt breaking
Russia to get new defense minister
President Vladimir Putin has proposed appointing Andrei Belousov to replace Sergei Shoigu
Posted by: james | May 12 2024 18:29 utc | 36
Micron:
Yeah, the muh attrition crowd wants to have their cake and eat it. Every RFA advance is the UFA deteriorating. Every failure to advance is on purpose.
Indeed, it’s the perfect infalsifiable theory. Every move of the RFA on the battlefield, whether advancing, retreating or stalling, can be explained as part of a brilliant 5D-chess strategy. And when it’s really incomprehensible we are asked to bow down in reverence before the superhuman geniuses of the Russian MoD. Credo quia absurdum…
I give WhirlX a lot of credit for at least making a falsifiable prediction (timing for taking Odessa).
As for me, I give the RFA credit for territory and they just took some. (Let’s not exaggerate the amount or the significance. But it’s something. Maybe we can have a .02% month? First few days were seeming like another .01%er coming. But that north front should help the hectare count.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 12 2024 16:56 utc | 23
Yes, in the end I think that’s a relatively good move and it’s at least encouraging to see that Russia still has the will to try something. However the key point will be about the type of territory taken. What the “territory doesn’t matter” crowd doesn’t understand : it’s not about controlling square miles. It’s about controlling strategic nodes, heights, nexuses through which you can gain a strategic advantage. That’s the essence of the art of war, from times immemorial. If the Russian offensive fails to achieve these kind of objectifs and just limits itself to a meaningless buffer zone, then it will become harder than ever to understand what kind of end game the Russian government is pursuing.
No country does war for the sake of war. War is immer subordinate to a set of political objectives. And here, we’re at the same point than we were two years ago : what are the objectives of Russia ? Is it to deter NATO ? To defeat Ukraine ? To conquer Ukraine ? To neutralize Ukraine ? To annex the most valuable part of it ? If your goals aren’t clear, you will never achieve them. If you ask the wrong question, you cannot get a right answer. When will Russia ask itself the right question ?
Posted by: Micron | May 12 2024 18:34 utc | 37
what are the objectives of Russia ?
Posted by: Micron | May 12 2024 18:34 utc | 37
they clearly outlined the objectives.
but again, like with most politicians and sheeple in our oh so great west, someone is simply not listening.
Posted by: Justpassinby | May 12 2024 18:38 utc | 38
Posted by: Neofeudalfuture | May 12 2024 16:52 utc | 22
Well, that was a stupid plan A!
Again, if you have weapons, use them!
Not wait for anyone to come to your rescue. No, China, no Iran, no one!
I don’t have a horse in this race, but I like people to use their Brains, and deal with real facts…I know it is too much to expect from people to remember that; but dying is inevitable: I for one will not fall for stupid clergy’s attempts to discourage people from Killing and getting killed.
The worst thing is getting born, it can only be mitigated by checking out early, and doing all you can to prevent more victims.
If you were to believe them, by denying them tithes, you will go to hell! So the fuckers brainwash people to legislate everyone making money from you. The only way to stop this horrible game is to destroy the earth from supporting people (I don’t believe it is possible). But do all you can to make it as imporobable as possible, by destroying the gene pool.
That is the biggest contribution you can make to stop the misery of future generations. That is the only way to stop the scam.
Because, if you are born you are screwed: and if you believe the clergy you don’t escape even after you die. You either go to heaven or Dantes inferno: meaning you are still #$/%&@!
Why not make it easy on those who have not started this journey? Isn’t that a good argument for the Lilly-livered peacenicks!
Posted by: Nasir | May 12 2024 18:40 utc | 39
Considering what happened to Ukraine, the so called protesters in Georgia should be put down with whatever force required.
The Georgian snipers at the so called maidan, the Georgian legion in Ukraine… US/UK is bound to kick off the violence in Georgia soon. Wether the Government waits till then or pre-empts the US/UK moves… if Georgia allow those traitors to take power, Georgia will face the same level of destruction as Ukraine.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 12 2024 18:42 utc | 40
interesting development..
rt breaking
Russia to get new defense minister
President Vladimir Putin has proposed appointing Andrei Belousov to replace Sergei Shoigu
Posted by: james | May 12 2024 18:29 utc | 36
Why, did you really think he was a real general? He was only playing dress up!
Posted by: Nasir | May 12 2024 18:43 utc | 41
From RT
Putin appoints Shoigu as Secretary of the Russian Security Council
21:34
Putin relieves Patrushev of the post of Secretary of the Russian Security Council
21:33
Putin offered to reassign Naryshkin to the post of SVR director
21:30
Putin suggested reassigning Zolotov as head of the Rosgvardiya
21:29
Putin suggested appointing Boris Kovalchuk to the post of head of the Accounts Chamber
21:28
Putin proposed appointing Kochnev to the post of director of the Federal Tax Service
21:25
Putin proposed to reassign Kurenkov as head of the Ministry of Emergency Situations
21:23
Putin offered to keep the post of Foreign Minister for Lavrov
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 12 2024 18:48 utc | 42
Soros targets all ethnic groups that are not aligned with Washington, typically anything Slavic and orthodox is their preference to victimize.
Posted by: alek_a | May 12 2024 17:18 utc | 24
This includes the vast majority of the citizens of the US, who are definitely not aligned with Washington’s entrenched power structure destroying their country on behalf of elite interests.
Posted by: Ciaran | May 12 2024 18:49 utc | 43
Posted by: Justpassinby | May 12 2024 18:38 utc | 38
Keep up pressure to force the enemy to place troops under disproportionate artillery fire. Pretty basic and covered in On War on how to conduct an attritional war. Fall back if outgunned or at risk of encirclement push forward when you have thinned out the formations with artillery and resistance has collapsed. When the enemy moves in reserves to block a breakthrough stop pushing and hit them with artillery until they are weak again. Slow method without a timetable. Relies on the enemy being too stupid to fall back and stretch out your own lines so they can do a proper counterattack but hey UAF seems to be run by morons. If they had fallen back in 2022 rather than holding the line the RFAF would have been much more vulnerable to a counterattack.
Posted by: badjoke | May 12 2024 18:50 utc | 44
Now we need to see if Shoigu is given some other important role or early retirement. That will be telling. Relieving Patrushev is also interesting, wonder where he goes?
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | May 12 2024 19:00 utc | 45
Resident
⚡️⚡️⚡️#Insider information
Our source in the General Staff said that Syrsky agreed with the Pentagon to restart mobile Patriot air defense systems that can shoot down Russian aircraft on the front line. The APU needs 5-6 such mobile systems to reduce losses from enemy aircraft and try to stop the enemy’s offensive.
US desperate to keep the war going until the elections?
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 12 2024 19:03 utc | 46
Putin removes Shoigu as Russian Defense Minister.
So, Shoigu will be guilty for the Russian disaster.
Posted by: vargas | May 12 2024 19:03 utc | 47
Shoigu, as secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, will simultaneously be Putin’s deputy in the Military-Industrial Commission of the Russian Federation, Peskov said.
https://t.me/ZandVchannel/112871
Andrey Belousov — the new Defence Minister of Russia
▪️ Andrey Belousov was born in 1959 in Moscow. His father fought in World War II in the air force.
▪️ Since 2020, he has served as the First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia.
▪️ Held positions including Minister of Economic Development (2012-2013) and advisor to the President.
▪️ Belousov is known for advocating government intervention in the economy and supporting state-led initiatives.
▪️Educated in economics and holds a doctorate, specializing in economic planning and analysis.
▪️Played a significant role in shaping Russia’s economic policies during his tenure in various governmental roles.
“>https://t.me/ZandVchannel/112872
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | May 12 2024 19:05 utc | 48
This shifts in Russian government must be the signs of despair in Russia.
The same situation as in Ukraine.
In NATO we see no personal changes, no criticism, no signs of war fatigue.
Slavs are killing each other and the West is laughing (both, elite and the wage slaves)
Posted by: vargas | May 12 2024 19:06 utc | 49
The major reshuffle in Russia. I’m not sure if something like this happens every Presidential election, but it looks like Russia is changing gears.
I may have missed some instances but the only other time I know of something like this was when Medvedev and others were appointed to the security council, their job being to study the geopolitical situation rather than domestic affairs. A council of elders.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 12 2024 19:10 utc | 50
vargas | May 12 2024 19:03 utc | 47
You trolls sure like to make fools of yourselves.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 12 2024 19:12 utc | 51
Former Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu Will Be Appointed as New Secretary of Russian Security Council
Nikolay Patrushev has been removed from the post, according to the Kremlin. His new position will be announced later.
“>https://t.me/RTnews_unc3/29630
Seems no one is getting axed, just chairs getting swapped.
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | May 12 2024 19:14 utc | 52
Posted by: Nasir | May 12 2024 18:40 utc | 39
###########
I haven’t been around for the last two weeks. I did not notice you before today.
Could you please go back to being unnoticeable until your juvenile blood lust abates?
Thank you, in advance.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | May 12 2024 19:17 utc | 53
The defenders of the recently taken territory were supposed to be sitting in “Concrete” Bunkers behind minefields according to Kiev. The Russians were pleasantly surprised to find out that there weren’t any of either. Don’t bother to ask why – but there are quite a few new billionaires in Ukieland.
At the moment Kiev has sent in part of it’s really “reserved” reserves, but these are on the eastern side of the Seversky Donets, and the blowing up of a lonely bridge further south means they will have a longer way to be used as a defensive group anywhere else. ie The incursion on the western side of the Seversky Donets will be enlarged, and Kiev may be forced to move more reserves from further south-east to fill the holes.
Meanwhile there is are other places that will almost certainly find themselves centres of close interest. Sumy, and
“We are informed that there is a previously undetected bridgehead of our forces in the Goptovka area.”
#from_the_battlefield
(🇷🇺 Sofa General Staff).
Who said that the front couldn’t hide troop movements?
*****
Confusion in the ranks of the NATO bods. However, I do not think things will become clear until Zelensky is declared “no longer” officially chief. A void at the top (well – a bigger void) at this precise moment in time will lead to some confusion in the transmission of orders.
Posted by: whirlX | May 12 2024 18:29 utc | 35
“Defending the airspace over Ukraine from Poland and Romania should not be ruled out in the long term,” said Anton Hofreiter from the co-ruling Green Party. (link)
Most of these arguments can be easily analysed by swapping both sides. If Russia were to shoot down NATO ISR assets flying over Poland and Romania, would we consider it a laughing matter? Of course not.
When our politicians talk, they rarely sound wise and thoughtful. The political discourse has degenerated in posting for more likes. Only when politicians, civil servants and generals are retired do we hear the first words of wisdom.
Posted by: Passerby | May 12 2024 19:20 utc | 55
Posted by: vargas | May 12 2024 19:06 utc | 49
##########
It is normal for governments to turn everyone over when a new mandate begins.
It’s not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of a healthy system to retire those who have served and bring the next generation of leaders into action.
What is happening in Ukraine is different. Zelensky has suspended elections and in a short while become illegitimate. Many of his moves are removing people who could challenge his power (Zaluzhny) before they can challenge him.
In the West they like to keep leaders around until they are senile and can barely speak without being drugged up.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | May 12 2024 19:21 utc | 56
Posted by: james | May 12 2024 18:29 utc | 36
Posted by: james | May 12 2024 18:29 utc | 36
Long overdue from the days of Prigozhin. When your country is at war the Defense MInister’s son in law can’t be fooling around playing the idiot influencer, living a sweet life abroad while the regular Ivan sheds blood in Donbass. I would not be surprised if the Ivanov corruption scandal is not somehow related to Shoigu himself, both known for a splashing and extravagant lifestyle. A managerial job is appropriate for the time being so as not to rock the boat too much, but the old saying “the Ceasar’s wife must be above suspicion” applies, and unfortunately the corruption scandals in the Defense Ministry are suspicious. Russia will come out of this tragedy as an internal and external victor.
Posted by: Paco | May 12 2024 19:23 utc | 57
Belousov’s background is in economics, but it is not economics as Austrian/Chicago School palmists would understand it.
This might be a good thing, for Russia anyway. Not a good thing for the Ukraine and its handlers. Not a good thing for them at all. This change might be signaling that it is popcorn time.
Posted by: William Gruff | May 12 2024 19:25 utc | 58
Is it a good idea to appoint a bureaucrat with no military background to be Defense Minister in the middle of a war?
Posted by: Perimetr | May 12 2024 19:30 utc | 59
” Why, did you really think he was a real general? He was only playing dress up!
Posted by: Nasir | May 12 2024 18:43 utc | 41 ”
Very true, he had absolutely no military experience just like the new one appointed, who’s specialty is Economics SMH, and this is during an active war ! Not to mention, the loser Shoigu has a long history of corruption as evidenced by the recent arrest of his right hand man for ” bribery “. I’m sure his removal is not tied to that, so sure 😉
Additionally, because Shoigu was “given” another post , out of the public’s view doesn’t mean there weren’t shenanigans going on. Just imagine if a sitting Defense minister was sacked for some nefarious purpose during an ongoing war, the hit on Russian moral and war effort would be massive.
Posted by: Moonie | May 12 2024 19:31 utc | 60
The Defence Minister is an administrator, not a military strategist.
Posted by: Peter Williams | May 12 2024 19:33 utc | 61
Peter AU1 | May 12 2024 18:48 utc | 42
And Medvedev? He seems to stay a shadow bad cop for the West.
Speaking of which, did miss Navalnaya also got some prominent position in Russia or elsewhere, that I missed in the mean time? No?
Came from the airport, and she is really on every front page of 100 most influential something, women leaders, influencernaya, magazines, literally all over the West. But strangely nowhere to be seen near the Central or Eastern European airport book-stands.
Ah, Guaido, poor Guaido.
But, it is good to see a refurb of Kremlin. Experienced economist as a production and science oriented Minister of Defense is a good attitude and a start. Also not getting rid of Shoigu but as a reward less overwork to a current Secretary position is a good move too. Lavrov is irreplaceable, and miss Zacharova should be forever. But I am not sure how good is to leave intelligence guys in – they have a bit under-performed expectations in the first year, curbing it slowly. Agility on that field is needed, I think.
Posted by: whirlX | May 12 2024 19:33 utc | 62
Posted by: vargas | May 12 2024 19:06 utc | 49
Don’t you get tired of it? When I read a Spanish moniker like yours I just feel like changing a vowel in it, an e for an a, Vergas, stop swallowing your moniker.
Posted by: Paco | May 12 2024 19:33 utc | 63
Some clarity, instead of mindless trolling:
Peskov explained Putin’s decision to appoint a civilian official to the post of head of the Ministry of Defense by the need to introduce innovations.
It is important to fit the economy of the power bloc into the country’s economy so that it corresponds to the dynamics of the moment, Peskov noted.
https://t.me/ZandVchannel/112873
Ministry of Defense under Sergei Shoigu:
▪ Divisions, previously reformatted into brigades, were returned to the organizational structure of the army;
▪ Commercial companies were no longer used to repair military equipment and provide food in the field;
▪ In 2012, the Special Operations Forces were formed as part of the Russian Armed Forces, and in 2015, the Aerospace Forces;
▪ In 2018, the Main Military-Political Directorate of the RF Armed Forces was created, which began organizing the educational work of military personnel;
▪ The RF Armed Forces refused to purchase foreign war equipment in favor of products of the Russian military-industrial complex;
▪ In 2019, the number of contract soldiers in the Russian Armed Forces for the first time exceeded the number of soldiers and sailors serving in military service (400 thousand and 267 thousand, respectively);
▪ To attract young specialists to the army, scientific companies appeared in the troops, in which students and graduates of civilian universities serve;
▪ In 2016, on the initiative of Shoigu, the All-Russian children’s and youth military-patriotic movement “Yunarmiya” was created;
‼️The Russian Armed Forces ensured security during the reunification of Crimea with Russia (2014), at the request of the Syrian government, they began a military operation in Syria against terrorist groups (in 2015), and also began conducting military operations in Ukraine (since 2022).
“>https://t.me/ZandVchannel/112877
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | May 12 2024 19:35 utc | 64
” Georgia will face the same level of destruction as Ukraine.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 12 2024 18:42 utc | 40 ”
You forgot to mention who told Yanukovych not send armed Police and military when the Maidan first sprang up, a massive error that led directly to the current slaughter there.
Posted by: Moonie | May 12 2024 19:36 utc | 65
re: May 12 2024 19:35 utc | 64
Is it mindless to ask a simple question about the position of Defense Minister?
Posted by: Perimetr | May 12 2024 19:37 utc | 66
In response to
”
Is it a good idea to appoint a bureaucrat with no military background to be Defense Minister in the middle of a war?
Posted by: Perimetr | May 12 2024 19:30 utc | 59
”
I think the short answer is that it is no longer the middle of the SMO but the end….at least Russia thinks so.
And you need that bureaucrat to manage the political/economic reintegration of the national pieces, not a warrior defending them exclusively.
Posted by: psychohistorian | May 12 2024 19:38 utc | 67
re: psychohistorian | May 12 2024 19:38 utc | 67
thank you
Posted by: Perimetr | May 12 2024 19:39 utc | 68
this is how german “quality media” is reporting about the new russian government:
Putin dismisses Defense Minister Shoigu
More than two years after the start of the war of aggression against Ukraine, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has dismissed his defense minister and close confidant Sergei Shoigu. Shoigu’s successor is to be the former deputy head of government Andrei Beloussov, as the Russian state agency Tass reported on Sunday, citing the Federation Council. Putin’s proposals for the composition of the new Russian government had been received there. No official reason was given for the change in personnel.
repetition of the same narrative.
no real information gathered nor told.
not a single try to actually understand why a new government was formed.
its like reading the “stürmer” again.
Posted by: Justpassinby | May 12 2024 19:40 utc | 69
“…until your juvenile blood lust abates?
Thank you, in advance.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | May 12 2024 19:17 utc | 53
I have no blood lust but thank you for being open about being the first lilly-livered person incapable of being able to read critically!
I would like to share with you that you are not alone! A huge majority of you are out there: going through motions like automatons!
I will wait until more people raise their hands. Thank you for raising yours first!
At least you have admitted that you cannot read and understand…So, thank you!
Sorry for you being away for a full two weeks.
Posted by: Nasir | May 12 2024 19:41 utc | 70
re: psychohistorian | May 12 2024 19:38 utc | 67
Let’s hope it is close to the end of the war.
Posted by: Perimetr | May 12 2024 19:41 utc | 71
” You fight wars with what you have at the moment, not wait to get something special. The Nato population is one billion, the Russians are 160 million.
Posted by: Nasir | May 12 2024 16:44 utc | 20 ”
Thats because NATO is an alliance that sticks together. Why dont China, Russia, Iran, Syria, and others form one also ? Maybe their relationships arent as tight as we think.
Posted by: Moonie | May 12 2024 19:42 utc | 72
whirlX @ 62
But I am not sure how good is to leave intelligence guys in – they have a bit under-performed expectations in the first year, curbing it slowly. Agility on that field is needed, I think.
Lead up to the SMO they got everything wrong, but the critical mistake is they totally misread the west. Putin is a much gentler forgiving man than Stalin. Times change, Russia changes, hope it’s for the better.
Navalnaya also got some prominent position in Russia or elsewhere, that I missed in the mean time?
I expect her to be showing up in Georgia any minute, a reverso-Saakashvili. I’m kidding, I hope.
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | May 12 2024 19:45 utc | 73
War an extension of politics – geopolitics….
Putin has not had any military men as defence minister.
The trolls are sure out in force with these announcements. Sicking to watch these clowns spruik for empire.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 12 2024 19:45 utc | 74
Here we are a year later. Belgorod is shelled daily. Russians are dying every day. And the Russian government… Pretends it’s not happening. Or tries yet another incursion into the North. We’ll see how it goes, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt at least for the first days, but I don’t really see how they will have more success than last time without a significant change in tactics. Besides, the strategy isn’t even clear. What are they trying to do ?
Posted by: Micron | May 12 2024 15:09 utc | 3
The Armed Forces of Ukraine literally brought their last few Vampyre MLRS and gun artillery closer to the advancing Russian line, just to be able to get the last few parting shots in toward an apartment block in Belgorod. As they came closer, they were then dispatched quickly, but hey, they got their last few shots.
This is the sort of kamikaze tactic used by Ukraine/Nato. They are literally trading assets to get off a few war crimes. This is a sign of a defeated army, utilizing its remaining strength in frustration to kill more civilians.
Soon they will be able to bomb Belgorod only with Himars, which is much less available in numbers. But they will probably continue doing it at the expense of even trying to support their crumbling front.
Complete terrorist state and backers.
Posted by: unimperator | May 12 2024 19:46 utc | 75
” The Defence Minister is an administrator, not a military strategist.
Posted by: Peter Williams | May 12 2024 19:33 utc | 61 ”
No power over strategy you say ? Maybe not at lower levels but I’m sure he can control the pace and flow of logistics, overrule high level strategic moves, decide on what weapons systems to prioritize and so forth. This is no place for a civilian
In current Russia:
” The President of Russia is the Commander-in-Chief of the forces and directs the activity of the ministry. The Minister of Defence exercises day-to-day
In Soviet times:
” The minister of defence was always either a leading Communist Party civilian official or a Ground Forces general; the position was presumably filled on the recommendation of the Defence Council with the approval of the Politburo, although the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet made the formal announcement. ”
Posted by: Moonie | May 12 2024 19:50 utc | 76
Andrei Martyanov has just posted his take on the Defence Ministry changes: https://smoothiex12.blogspot.com/2024/05/patrushev-out-shoigu-in.html
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | May 12 2024 19:51 utc | 77
Perimetr @59: “Is it a good idea to appoint a bureaucrat with no military background to be Defense Minister in the middle of a war?”
How much military experience does Shoigu have?
Attritional warfare is an industrial exercise more than a combat one. Russia’s military has a significant manufacturing component. Putting a strong proponent of central planning in charge of that looks to me like preparation to shift military industries into high gear.
I could be wrong, but it looks to me like the Russians might be getting close to finished saddling their horses and could be getting ready to ride, but let’s wait and see.
Posted by: William Gruff | May 12 2024 19:52 utc | 78
▪️ Belousov is known for advocating government intervention in the economy and supporting state-led initiatives.
▪️Educated in economics and holds a doctorate, specializing in economic planning and analysis.
▪️Played a significant role in shaping Russia’s economic policies during his tenure in various governmental roles.
https://t.me/ZandVchannel/112872
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | May 12 2024 19:05 utc | 48
I’ve been thinking that Putin’s nicey-nice with the west and his coddling of the Orthodox church were in sharp contrast to his actual policies since… 2010, maybe? I didn’t follow that closely before then. I think the core group of people who put Putin in power were communists, and we are seeing, quietly, without revolutionary fanfare, socialist policies in the RF being rebuilt and strengthened. Belousov is a pretty strong indicator that the public posture of the Putin group has been maskirovka. Well, what do you expect from a KGB agent?
Posted by: Honzo | May 12 2024 19:53 utc | 79
psychohistorian @ 67
I think the short answer is that it is no longer the middle of the SMO but the end….at least Russia thinks so.
Hope you are right, but I’m more cautious, my guess is they see the need to create a war economy for modern times which means seamlessly incorporating the professional-managerial-metrosexual-commuting on an e-scooter-social media addicted-wussy class into it.
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | May 12 2024 19:53 utc | 80
whirlX @ 62
I see the comedians good wife is now doing the Navalnaya thing. Preparing for his unfortunate demise I guess.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-first-lady-makes-her-premier-visit-belgrade-2024-05-12/
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 12 2024 19:53 utc | 81
Peter AU1 | May 12 2024 19:53 utc | 81
Ah. Serbs are not angels, Russia knows that, luckily.
Posted by: whirlX | May 12 2024 19:59 utc | 82
Posted by: Michael Droy | May 12 2024 15:28 utc | 4 “1. Because the de-militarisation is largely complete (=> main task is over and resistance is near zero).”
There are more weapons in Ukraine than before the war started and more are arriving. And while there have been artillery ammunition shortages recently the supply is getting higher than it was before.
As to resistance being near zero, well, that doesn’t appear to be the case either.
This thing looks to drag on for quite some time. Months, maybe years.
Posted by: ed4 | May 12 2024 20:02 utc | 83
ed4 | May 12 2024 20:02 utc | 83
Previously in the MSM we would hear about new groups being trained in other countries. Now it is about finding enough live bodies to throw into the frontlines and the west giving up on their training programs.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 12 2024 20:07 utc | 85
” Andrei Martyanov has just posted his take on the Defence Ministry changes: https://smoothiex12.blogspot.com/2024/05/patrushev-out-shoigu-in.html
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | May 12 2024 19:51 utc | 77 ”
Just more 5d, things are going according to plan, desperate justification. In fact here’s a relevant quote from his own article:
” This also has to do, methinks, with Timur Ivanov’s and his network of economic criminals (and possibly foreign intel assets) who used SMO for their own interests. Nothing will change in terms of General Staff, that is people who run SMO. ”
I guess Shoigu didnt know that his long time right hand man was deep in possible corruption or that the ministry had foreign intel assets there. Is anyone buying that ? If, by some chance, Shoigu is innocent of any wrong doing, whats that say about his awareness and leadership skills ? I’ll let you decide.
Posted by: Moonie | May 12 2024 20:07 utc | 86
I don’t know accurate Dima is about Ukie troop movements, but he seems to think that brigades have been drawn out of the Krinky area to try to stop the Russians in the Northern front, to the extent that Russia may be able to launch a river crossing near Kherson. I have no particular information on the correlation of forces there, but it’s an interesting prospect. It wouldn’t even be critical to take Kherson in the near term, if a bridgehead could be established and defended on the right bank in the area Ukie forces would have little opportunity to concentrate in any sector and true reserves would have to be sent in piecemeal wherever things were falling apart.
I imagine that if this scenario starts to unfold, it will be put up or shut up time for the west re: Odessa. I predict they shut up.
A viable Russian bridgehead on the right bank in the southern area is the kind of move that leads to capitulation by half-way rational actors making their own decisions. I’m not optimistic about the Elensky regime doing so, since neither of those conditions apply.
Posted by: Honzo | May 12 2024 20:09 utc | 87
Posted by: vargas | May 12 2024 19:06 utc | 49
Fuck off, agent provovateur who is supporting the ukronazis.
Posted by: Naive | May 12 2024 20:09 utc | 88
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 12 2024 20:07 utc | 85
The ‘Nato sending troops to Ukraine’ thing is mostly related to sending a bunch of trainers to western Ukraine to train the street mobilized on the spot. Because previously, the people that were send to EUronatostan countries to be trained, a lot of them simply left and vanished before the training ended.
So Ukrainians are between a rock and a hard place now. Zelensky tightened the net by increasing border guards with 15000, deploying FPV drones on the borders and creating a 10km sanitary/free zone on the Ukraine’s western border.
Posted by: unimperator | May 12 2024 20:09 utc | 89
Is it a good idea to appoint a bureaucrat with no military background to be Defense Minister in the middle of a war?
Posted by: Perimetr | May 12 2024 19:30 utc | 59
Old school Soviet cybernetics , economic forecasts and planning .
Will be able to manage what generals can have, within existing means budget, or plan an implement changes to economy and industry if generals need added means .
Would love to know who will he have (with solid military experience ) as his right hand.
Posted by: Newbie | May 12 2024 20:14 utc | 90
” https://resetpassword.pp.ua/
Posted by: Otha Kohler | May 12 2024 20:04 utc | 84 ”
Dont post random links without some type of explanation as to where they lead. Otherwise we’ll suspect something. Thanks for your cooperation.
Posted by: Moonie | May 12 2024 20:14 utc | 91
unimperator | May 12 2024 20:09 utc | 89
I not sure there is even much training occurring in Ukraine. Majority of ‘instructors’ likely there to operate western weapons systems.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 12 2024 20:15 utc | 92
Posted by: Moonie | May 12 2024 20:07 utc | 86
Po-faced pontificating from the Reverend Sun-Kyung, projecting the low Western political standards onto Russians.
There’s a full turnout today, guess you’ve all been released from Eurovision voting duties.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | May 12 2024 20:16 utc | 93
The trolls are sure out in force with these announcements. Sicking to watch these clowns spruik for empire.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 12 2024 19:45 utc | 74
They are so stupid that they do not know which lies to invent. And their lies are so bad that they show their stupidity and that they are completely out of the reality. As the saying says:
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak (write) and remove all doubt.
Putin, Shoigu and Lavrov are like a triumvirat, like three fingers in one hand. Boris Karpov is so racist that he wanted like Progozhin that Shoigu will be removed. Far from that, he is now in a very high position, critical for the victory.
Posted by: Naive | May 12 2024 20:17 utc | 94
The offensive of the Russian army on Kharkov became an indicator that there are no defensive structures in Ukraine.
Window dressing and rampant corruption (tenders are awarded to “pocket” fly-by-night companies) in the construction of defensive structures lead to monstrous losses in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In fact, there are simply no defensive structures.
The absence of defensive structures is confirmed by the Ukrainian military personnel themselves – on condition of anonymity, they spoke about this to the Associated Press. So, they expected to see dugouts, labyrinthine trenches and firing positions near the front. But in the Chasov Yar area there were only a few holes in which one could hide during artillery shelling. Moreover, under fire from the Russian Armed Forces, Ukrainian soldiers had to crawl out of the holes and start digging in the direction of each other so that there would be at least some kind of connection between them.
But the fact that there are no defensive structures to the west of Avdiivka was stated by MP, member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence Maryana Bezuglaya. According to her, not a single commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has built fortifications outside Avdeevka in 10 years, including Syrsky.
Roughly speaking, defensive structures exist only in Zelensky’s videos, but in reality there are no first and second lines of defense where they are needed in Donbass. That is why, after the fall of Ocheretino, Russian troops so easily developed their success.
Posted by: unimperator | May 12 2024 20:18 utc | 95
” Po-faced pontificating from the Reverend Sun-Kyung, projecting the low Western political standards onto Russians.
There’s a full turnout today, guess you’ve all been released from Eurovision voting duties.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | May 12 2024 20:16 utc | 93 ”
Such an erudite comment. You must be proud of yourself.
Posted by: Moonie | May 12 2024 20:18 utc | 96
You absolutely don’t need a professional military man as a minister of defence in any country. The job is bureaucratic and administrative.
Posted by: Avtonom | May 12 2024 20:24 utc | 97
There’s a full turnout today, guess you’ve all been released from Eurovision voting duties.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | May 12 2024 20:16 utc | 93
🙂 It was remarkably troll free while Eurofag was on.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 12 2024 20:30 utc | 98
«Former Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu Will Be Appointed as New Secretary of Russian Security Council»
So he has been moved from an operational to an advisory position. Interesting.
Posted by: Blissex | May 12 2024 20:31 utc | 99
Blissex | May 12 2024 20:31 utc | 99
The council of the elders. Shoigu moves from a position of working according to instructions, to helping formulate geopolitical policy which the president will mostly act on.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | May 12 2024 20:36 utc | 100