China is going to end up with egg on its face trusting Ukraine’s sincerity in its desire to negotiate with Russia
Posted by: Hahajizzjizz | Jul 25 2024 5:50 utc | 103
Chinaman sooo stooopid, you sooooo much smarter than chinaman. They fall for anything.
P.S. Give China some credit, please.

Posted by: UWDude | Jul 25 2024 6:30 utc | 103

@ Passerby | Jul 25 2024 7:19 utc
Most likely EU were the ones to initiate and US signs off on anything that hurts Europe, so it checks out.

Posted by: boneless | Jul 25 2024 7:25 utc | 105

RU MOD claims they found another mercenary deployment in Kharkov.

The crew of the Iskander-M OTRK launched a missile attack on the temporary deployment point of foreign mercenaries in the building of the Scorpion construction company in the industrial zone of Kharkov.
Up to 100 militants were destroyed, including 40 foreign instructors, as well as about 60 servicemen of the 151st mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
@mod_russia
“>https://x.com/GeromanAT/status/1816364328854896991

Posted by: unimperator | Jul 25 2024 7:45 utc | 107

Scholz very confused….Germany now allows Germnan weapons to be fired into Russian territory to stop Russians defending themselves from attacks by nato weapons from Kharkov…
but Germany still seeks peaceful solutions…Washington decided Wiesbaden base not Ramstein (USA passing bucks to EU ) is now the control command coordination centre within Nato structures but Nato is not directly involved Nato itself not doing anyting this is very important…..
nor will Germany be in direct conflict with Russia
he thinks???
summary from sputniknews

Posted by: Jo | Jul 25 2024 7:48 utc | 109

Barantchik reports:

Poland begins strategic operation “Eastern Dawn”
Information has appeared on the website of the Polish Ministry of Defense about the start of Operation WSCHODNIA ZORZA (“Eastern Dawn”: strengthening the air defense of the Republic of Poland) on August 1, 2024.
The message says: “The main goal of the operation is to protect Polish airspace from objects illegally violating its borders. Particular attention will be paid to objects that commit illegal violations, including at low and very low altitudes, which is typical for drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles. The operation covers the Eastern and North-Eastern borders of Poland, where the risk of violations is highest.”
There were several options for translating the name of the Polish operation, but I settled on the “Eastern Dawn” option. It is deeper and more strategic. In addition, I thought about Kresy Wschodnie (Eastern Kresy), the lands of Western Ukraine and Western Belarus. The Polish elite dreams of returning them during the conflict in Ukraine. And first in line is the territory of Western Ukraine.
Judging by the statement of the Polish Ministry of Defense, ground (anti-aircraft missile systems and anti-aircraft gun systems) and air defense components (aviation) will be involved.
It is obvious that the strengthening of air defense will go along the border with Ukraine. Its length is 535 km. How can we not recall Warsaw’s idea to shoot down Russian missiles and UAVs already over Ukrainian territory, supposedly preventively, preventing them from flying into Polish airspace.
In fact, this idea is nothing more than the creation of a no-fly zone over the Ukrainian territory bordering Poland. In this case, the width of this zone will be determined by the technical capabilities of air defense/missile defense systems located on Polish territory.
The presence of such a strip can ensure the safety of Polish troops entering Ukraine, as well as troops of other NATO countries. Scenario “Coalition of the Willing” . Poland has a leading role in it.
This safer territory is also suitable for training the Armed Forces of Ukraine by foreign instructors, deploying weapons and equipment warehouses, as well as organizing the work of the military industry in cooperation with Western defense contractors.
In addition, the strengthening of Polish air defense near the Ukrainian border is being done with the start of the use of “Ukrainian” F-16 fighters, which can be based both on the territory of Western Ukraine and potentially on the territory of Poland itself.
The topic of air defense in Operation Eastern Dawn is just the first step. Further, these air defense systems can be deployed on Ukrainian territory.
I am sure that in general this operation is strategic and implies in the future, in a certain course of events, at least the occupation of Western Ukraine. That is, it will be associated with the introduction of the ground component of the Polish Armed Forces, as well as troops of other NATO countries.
The start date of Operation Eastern Dawn—August 1—is also notable. On August 1, 1914, the First World War began. Certain forces in the world are very fond of symbolism. And all this is happening against the background of the acceleration of the “negotiations” track on resolving the Ukrainian conflict.

Posted by: Boo | Jul 25 2024 8:01 utc | 111

https://t.me/zarussia_1/23126
https://t.me/boris_rozhin/131184
Deputy Prime Minister Khusnullin reported on the progress of the restoration of new regions.
Main indicators:
1. Houses built – 19,000
2. Roads laid – 3,000 km
3. More than 1300 educational facilities have been built
4. More than 200 medical facilities have been built
What’s in the plans.
1. 3 million square meters of housing with the prospect of building 12 million square meters.
2. 8,000 kilometers of roads.

Posted by: new regions | Jul 25 2024 8:28 utc | 113

Scholz very confused….Germany now allows Germnan weapons to be fired into Russian territory to stop Russians defending themselves from attacks by nato weapons from Kharkov…
Posted by: Jo | Jul 25 2024 7:48 utc | 110
—
The nuclear capable missiles arriving in Germany are a consequence of Trump withdrawing from the INF treaty.
And Scholz is a very weak Chancellor.
In German (type c for subtitles) ==> https://youtu.be/WA-47-JmA40?t=20

Posted by: too scents | Jul 25 2024 8:40 utc | 115

Posted by: Melaleuca | Jul 24 2024 15:10 utc | 6

Back in 2022 I was reading that Russia was continuing to fulfil its gas supply contracts and continuing to supply gas via Ukraine.
IIRC the contracts expire in Dec 2024.
Has anyone seen anything about extending or renewing or negotiating news contracts?

there are various options/opinions on the table
Sources mainly from TASS
– 15.02.24 — EU not to extend agreement on gas transit from Russia via Ukraine
– 04.03.24 — EU not interested in renewing gas transit agreement via Ukraine — Energy Commissioner
– 05.03.24 — EU able to receive Russian gas via Ukraine after 2024 through auctions — experts
– 13.06.24 — EU and Ukraine ask Azerbaijan to facilitate Russian gas transit, says official — REUTERS
– 10.06.24 — Europe in Talks to Keep Russia-Ukraine Gas Pipeline Flowing — Bloomberg
– 03.07.24 — EU eyes renewal of Gazprom contract — paper
– 03.07.24 — Russia ready to supply gas via Ukraine after 2024 also — Novak
a summary can be found in the Handelsblatt ( in german )
https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/international/gas-eu-verhandelt-wohl-ueber-laengere-gaslieferungen-ueber-russische-pipeline/100044443.html
but a TASS article refers to it
https://tass.com/economy/1811891

Posted by: ghiwen | Jul 25 2024 9:21 utc | 117

@new regions | Jul 25 2024 8:28 utc | 114
There is going to be a re-building bonanza in the new regions in the next few years, that is for sure.

Posted by: Norwegian | Jul 25 2024 10:21 utc | 119

IMO stealing Russian assets from Euroclear was the precedent which will enable to steal private EU citizen assets out of the Euroclear, as well.
Posted by: unimperator | Jul 25 2024 10:27 utc | 121
No, they would never do that! Well, maybe for oligarchs who “support terrorism in the middle east”, also “dangerous far-right fascist nationalist oligarchs”, and maybe a few oligarchs who “do business with businesses that do business with sanctioned nations like Iran or China or Russia.

Posted by: UWDude | Jul 25 2024 10:39 utc | 121

aristodemos @96: “Morale is on the verge of shattering, as the Russian assaults have become conservatively relentless.”
Is it, though? I’ve been under the impression that media in the Ukraine is more tightly controlled than anywhere else in the world, and the population is fed the nonsense that the AFU is winning, along with the farce about all of Russia’s flying shovels being shot down.
The Azov Nazis know what is happening, which is why they refuse orders to go to the front. The meat, on the other hand, are clueless until they end up in the trenches, at which point their morale hardly matters as they only have a few more hours to live anyway. Dead men tell no tales, and the ones who survive and try to tell the reality of what is happening are just a few depressing, busted up old guys versus Madison Ave’s best media products nonstop, with gripping patriotic music and captivating nationalist imagery. Which do you think the delusional western-wannabees are going to listen to?
The morale of the troops has to break before they end up under fire so they can do something about it. For the Ukrop civilians, reality has to break through the comforting and addictive media narratives before they even realize that their morale might be overly elevated.
Granted, increasing pushback against the thugs grabbing people off the street for the meat grinder is a great sign, as is the torching of their vehicles. Maybe I’m just being cynical, and a real resistance to the Nazis is awakening in the Ukraine. I certainly hope so, as the sooner that resistance takes off, the more of the Ukraine that can be salvaged.

Posted by: William Gruff | Jul 25 2024 11:11 utc | 123

Re: Posted by: unimperator | Jul 24 2024 21:35 utc | 59

Hungary and Slovakia are pretty much ripe to leave. There’s a pretty high certainty Russia can install at least a neutral government in a portion of Ukraine that can control highway and rail access to the Romanian, Hungarian and Slovakian borders.
When that happens, commodities and goods flow freely from the Eurasian continent to the heart of the EU, the EU monopoly is dead at that point and a big chunk of the Balkans will say: SCREW YOU. And the unraveling begins.
Russia can really achieve this.

There is actually NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER Russia is set to achieve this.
Russia is still fighting to take control the Donbass after 2.5 years!

Posted by: Julian | Jul 25 2024 12:44 utc | 125

A prescient article from the 20th:
https://t.me/dva_majors/47732

They write to us:
🖋Hello, comrade majors. I wrote an article that I think is very relevant not only for the border region, but for the whole country. Maybe you will not remain indifferent to this issue and publish it? Such messages with proposals for terror are sent to students at educational institutions in Belgorod.
Alarming and alarming events are taking place in the territories of Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh and Kursk regions bordering Ukraine. We will talk about the threat of terrorism and extremism in these territories and related things.
Ukrainian special services want to influence the fragile minds of our youth and drag young people into terrorism.
First, messages are sent with an offer to participate in a particular action (protest rally, march, etc.), then an offer comes to do a more serious thing, for example, to burn a relay cabinet. They don’t even hesitate to offer to take part in a terrorist attack.
All these actions have several unifying factors:
1. They offer to pay a certain amount upon completion of the work,
2. They are convinced that all this is nothing more than an administrative violation and the punishment will not be severe, a fine at most,
3. They offer “clean documents” for traveling abroad, including to Ukraine
The Ukrainian special services employ professional psychologists who know how to persuade and, if a person has shown even the slightest interest in these proposals, they try to find their “key” to him. They ask about parents and acquaintances, find out the person’s range of interests, and draw up a psychological portrait of the “ward.” And then, depending on the person’s capabilities, they make an offer.
At the moment, we know that similar messages are being sent to students of vocational schools, colleges, technical schools and universities.
It is necessary to explain to students that it is better not to hide or delete such messages, but to immediately show them to teachers. It is imperative to educate students on safety issues. Teach our children to think critically and not take for granted everything that some “uncle” writes to them.
This issue especially needs to be raised among parents. Parents are obliged to take part in the lives of their children and be at least somewhat interested in their interests.
Basically, young guys take some steps in the hope of making money. Earn pocket money so that you are supposedly not dependent on your parents, but this is a false message: Ukrainian special services do not pay money. They lure you into their network to perform a one-time promotion. As soon as you complete the task, that’s it, you are waste material and they no longer need you. They just forget about you.
The next question is whether you will be found. In our digital age, there is always a digital footprint somewhere and it’s only a matter of time before they find you. And then not only you, but also your family will suffer. She will forever bear the mark of traitors. And the stigma of a traitor for a Russian person is worse than leprosy. You will serve 10-12-15 years, but this stigma will be on you and your family for several more generations.
So think guys, think very hard. Before you get involved in these dubious and criminal adventures, think. Believe me, this will bring you nothing but tears, grief and pain.”
Two Majors and an Ascetic

Posted by: anon2020 | Jul 25 2024 12:46 utc | 127

After the first couple of F-16 lost, the remaining F-16 will be used as drones.
How the U.S. Air Force Turns an F-16 Fighter Into a Drone
Remember you read it here first.

Posted by: Passerby | Jul 25 2024 13:39 utc | 129

There is actually NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER Russia is set to achieve this.
Posted by: Julian | Jul 25 2024 12:44 utc | 126

There is actually NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that Russia is NOT set to achieve this.
things can change on a whim, thats the nature of conflicts.
and before you ask, dear jihadi julian röpcke, there is no timetable for anything. as long as it takes.

Posted by: Justpassinby | Jul 25 2024 13:45 utc | 131

We really have no evidence about anything. Even Dima with his huge network of skillfull mappers blogers provides us only the second hand info.
Take TOS flamethrower, for example. Is it really so deadly? We have t seen people with such wounds .
How us it possible that Ukrainians are not running away if they hear that T0S may be near them? Is it possible that they have some kind of defence against it?
There are many lies in tgis war. The west lies. but Russians also lie.

Posted by: vargas | Jul 25 2024 14:11 utc | 133

How many so called Nazi’s are there in Ukraine? Exactly how are Ukrainian people identified by their Russian leaning, Nazi leaning, or their Western leaning attributes? IOWs, how will Russia identify friend from foe when it takes over Ukraine?
In the same light, is the question of how to identify and distinguish the Zionist, Christian, Judaist, Moslem, Hindu, and so on.. in a nation state governed society? What level of identity is necessary to safely and with acumen navigate when present in a society? How will Russia solve the problem of deciding whether or not it has achieved its goals in the Ukraine?
Moral standards are ideals. When a society accepts and agrees that a set of moral standards are the key to an after life, it has established a religion. Because that living religious society is not an armed government, it uses fear to control the behaviors of its adherents. IOWs in a religion the moral code is enforced by fear of the unknowable.
But what if moral code were to be enforced by a government and the purpose of government were to be limited to enforcing the moral code?
Constitutions have not established moral codes, they have instead focused on the rights of governed mankind against the rights of the few in control of the government. This leaves little power for the masses to challenge the claims and assertions made by those who the PTB appoint to authoritative positions in governments.
The missing element in constitutions, treaties and in international and global institutions is a moral code; not a religious moral code, but a morality that defines the rules that all parties in a society are bound to live by.. Instead of trying to define rights, allocate power and distribute authority among the governmental positions; constitutions, institutions and treaties nations should define the moral code, and authorities should be established, empowered and limited to enforcing the moral code.
History has proven constitutions, treaties, and institutions cannot defend the rights of mankind from the power associated with authority given to armed and powerful actors with positions in or associated with or derived from governments. Governments often allocate power to private actors (the rich & powerful few). Unequal, layered equality, hallmarks amoral societies.
Constitutions, treaties and institutions should be designed to enforce a moral code on everyone at all levels with equal application? The behavior of anyone who becomes associated in some way with the institutions, treaties, government or any of its licensees, agencies, or contractors should be required to behave in accord with the moral code. Laws should not violate the moral code and authority to enforce the law should be limited by the moral code.
IMO, Societies (nation states) should be governed by moral codes (ideologies) not by the rule of law made by a few people. In time, the different moral codes will merge into one global moral code which will enable mankind to live in peace and everyone to, within their lifetimes, be able to benefit from the inventions and innovations made by the gifted few.
IMO, Russia has a giant problem figuring out when its goals have been reached in the Ukraine.

Posted by: snake | Jul 25 2024 14:35 utc | 135

There is actually NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER Russia is set to achieve this.
Russia is still fighting to take control the Donbass after 2.5 years!
Posted by: Julian | Jul 25 2024 12:44 utc | 126
When you see women on the street protesting electricity blackouts and demanding their sons and husbands return home and Ukrainian recruiters being beaten and their cars burned you know something’s about to give.
Keep watching … systemic collapse come slowly at first then all at once.
Posted by: HB_Norica | Jul 25 2024 13:40 utc | 131
HB you’re wasting your time providing evidence to Julian, he merely ignores evidence put to him and sticks with the line presented to him by The Daily Telegraph.
Julian’s previous gems include…
“There is no evidence that the Azov Battalion are surrounded in Azovstal, Mariupol.”
“There is no evidence that Bakhmut is about to fall to the Russians”
Julian’s defiance of reality is legend. It goes like this…
MoA poster at 10am “Based upon (multiple objective knowns) the Sun will set this evening and it will get dark.”
Julian 10.02am “There is no evidence to suggest that it will get dark tonight”
Julian 10.30am “it’s still not dark yet. Na na na, na na”
You can save yourself precious time by using the “Canuck” method of wherever you see a defiant post from Julian, simply skip past it and read something that may be worth reading.

Posted by: Lev Davidovich | Jul 25 2024 14:47 utc | 137

Julian@1244
Your perception of the battlefield strategies and tactics employed by the R.U. are still a bit dim. More in-depth researches are imperative.

Posted by: aristodemos | Jul 25 2024 14:59 utc | 139

Take TOS flamethrower, for example. Is it really so deadly?
Here’s an article from the Journal of Military and Veterans health https://jmvh.org/article/munitions-thermobaric-munitions-and-their-medical-effects/
Please note the fact that they create over pressure of over 2000 psi while our bodies are meant to function at 14.7 PSI and a fireball of over 3000 degrees celcius that burns slower than conventional explosives and is further retarded by the use of aluminum powder so it toasts everything nice and crispy.
One atmosphere is 14.7 PSI. The average modern submarine can withstand 30 atmospheres. Thermobaric weapons produce 150 atmospheres and the effects on your innards are like a scuba diver diving to that depth and surfacing in seconds.
Read to the end of the abstract to get the butchers list of injuries. It ruptures the every organ in your body and creates embolisms in the blood.
We have t seen people with such wounds .
I’m sure there are pictures circulating the military medical community but it’s not exactly the sort of thing you want circulating around new recruits.
How us it possible that Ukrainians are not running away if they hear that T0S may be near them?
Sure they could but isn’t the point for the Ukrainians to hold onto territory instead of running away?
Is it possible that they have some kind of defence against it?
If it’s a missile blow up the launch vehicle, if it’s an aircraft shoot it down but ones these things detonate you’ll need armour 5 times stronger than a submarine hull and a source of oxygen.
There are many lies in tgis war. The west lies. but Russians also lie.
Posted by: vargas | Jul 25 2024 14:11 utc | 134

Posted by: HB_Norica | Jul 25 2024 15:02 utc | 141

Russia is still fighting to take control the Donbass after 2.5 years!
Posted by: Julian | Jul 25 2024 12:44 utc | 126
#############
It’s like not a single day can pass that you won’t misconstrue the goals of the SMO which have been clearly stated to you dozens of times in the last year.
De-nazification. De-militarization.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jul 25 2024 15:06 utc | 143

IMO, Russia has a giant problem figuring out when its goals have been reached in the Ukraine.
Posted by: snake | Jul 25 2024 14:35 utc | 136
That is by design and made for Ukr alone. Smo could end in 2025 or 2035 just as easy. If they need to pacify another country, to quote Kim, the method will be very different. I hope we get to see that one

Posted by: rk | Jul 25 2024 15:18 utc | 145

Whatever territorial aims Russia wants to achieve it better hurry up and achieve them.
Posted by: Julian | Jul 25 2024 15:29 utc | 147
###########
Or what?
No one is scared of America anymore. Even tiny West African states are telling the Yankees to hit the road.
Don’t get me started on Ansarallah abusing the US Navy.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jul 25 2024 15:33 utc | 147

Re: Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jul 25 2024 15:06 utc |

De-nazification. De-militarization.

Yep. After 2.5 years of fighting Russia is not close to either if these goals.

Posted by: Julian | Jul 25 2024 15:38 utc | 149

Posted by: vargas | Jul 25 2024 14:11 utc | 134
What is the conclusion when a liar says that Russians lie?

Posted by: Naive | Jul 25 2024 15:43 utc | 151

Whatever territorial aims Russia wants to achieve it better hurry up and achieve them.
Posted by: Julian | Jul 25 2024 15:29 utc | 147

there is NO EVIDENCE that supports this claim.

Posted by: Justpassinby | Jul 25 2024 16:10 utc | 153

❗️🇨🇳 The only way out of the crisis in Ukraine is the formation through negotiations of a security system in Europe, said the Chinese Embassy in the United States.
https://t.me/ZandVchannel/121684

Which was exactly what was offered in December 2021…

Posted by: Norwegian | Jul 25 2024 16:33 utc | 155

How many so called Nazi’s are there in Ukraine? Exactly how are Ukrainian people identified by their Russian leaning, Nazi leaning, or their Western leaning attributes? IOWs, how will Russia identify friend from foe when it takes over Ukraine?
You are correct, you can’t eradicate an idea through military force however just like any crime there is evidence and witnesses who can testify to the actions of the guilty parties.
IMO, Russia has a giant problem figuring out when its goals have been reached in the Ukraine.
My guess is this will be over when they’re satisfied Ukraine won’t get up off the ground and NATO gets on their bike and fucks off just like any fight.
snake | Jul 25 2024 14:35 utc | 136

Posted by: HB_Norica | Jul 25 2024 17:08 utc | 157

Or what?
No one is scared of America anymore

It is irrefutable that Maericas great weaknesses have been exposed in Ukraine. Financial, military, diplomatic. It’s a nation of contradictions, a reality show with nuclear weapons.
Far from striding the world like a new Roman Empire, the deluded apparchiks of the Empire of Lies

Posted by: Doctor Eleven | Jul 25 2024 17:10 utc | 159

..stumble from one disaster to the next.
Apologies, I pressed post early.

Posted by: Doctor Eleven | Jul 25 2024 17:10 utc | 161

China is not entirely neutral so China too has to watch what it says, at least to the point of being silent about many things.
Posted by: anonposter | Jul 25 2024 16:30 utc | 155
The USA and NATO have both declared China is their main military adversary. China remains neutral on in diplomatic language spoken to the west but when speaking to Russia who they share a common enemy with they say they “stand back to back” and are “closer than a military alliance” and it’s not just empty words because China’s trade with Russia has increased 65% since the SMO began.
Put 2 and 2 together … USA and NATO have both declared China as their main military adversary they both have a common enemy.

Posted by: HB_Norica | Jul 25 2024 17:27 utc | 163

Trump II now realises …
Posted by: Milites | Jul 25 2024 17:31 utc | 165
—
Trump is a narcissist. He doesn’t care about anything other than himself.
And selling. He is always selling.

Posted by: too scents | Jul 25 2024 17:37 utc | 165

“Muh Nazi”
Posted by: Doctor Eleven | Jul 25 2024 17:12 utc
Doctor Eleven are you a Nazi? Or do you simply assume people you disagree with are Nazis, due to your lack of intelligence and self-control?
Regardless, your methods are fascistic. Pointing out that Putin is in a failed quagmire, does not make one a Nazi or a subhuman.
Transcend fascism, this is my advice for you. Work on tolerating viewpoints diametrically opposed to your own, something Joseph Goebbels could never do.
Baby Steps, Doc, Baby Steps …

Posted by: Napoleon | Jul 25 2024 17:48 utc | 167

@ HB_Norica | Jul 25 2024 15:02 utc | 142
@ naive
Wouldn’t it be better to ignore Vargas and napoleon? No one’s changing their minds. Nor vice versa. So there’s no point. It’s not worth your time IMO.

Posted by: despondent | Jul 25 2024 18:21 utc | 169

@165 Milites
Bolsonaro, o idiota nazi-fascista, recita exatamente a mesma ladainha…

Posted by: Soviético | Jul 25 2024 18:55 utc | 171

That cultural Nazi that got topped was killed by a neo. The Galicias nazi-s believe the Russian speaking neo-nazis are tra-tors because they don’t speak the Galicia dialect.
Would be interesting if a full on war broke out between the nazi’s and the neo’s in Ukraine. What a shithole of a place. A European Idlib.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jul 25 2024 19:07 utc | 173

Ukraine is a cursed land. Seems as though it has always been. Black soil fertilized by centuries of war. Slave raids from the Turks. Slav is the root for slave. The Pale. I’m glad I’m not from there.
Nestor Makhno was cool, though.
Чому не вийшло? – Why Didn’t it Work? (Ukrainian Anarchist Song)

Posted by: lex talionis | Jul 25 2024 19:15 utc | 175

Posted by: aristodemos | Jul 25 2024 14:29 utc | 135
Most powerful is the highest civil servant with permanent tenure.

Posted by: Passerby | Jul 25 2024 19:16 utc | 177

Posted by: too scents | Jul 25 2024 17:37 utc | 166
Look up the clinical term, not the progressive SM/Twitter version, the two are not the same.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jul 25 2024 19:15 utc | 177
Possibly, but a guy who knows how to build buildings as well as he does will also probably know how to effectively bring structures down, especially given four years of planning The MSM fatally underestimated him, as did the RNC, and he’s got an impressive collection of trophy heads on his wall to count him out yet.
As for his job, he did a piss poor one the last time, no conflict started, tried to get out of Syria, tried to set the conditions with withdrawal in Afghanistan. I’ll not talk about Israel as my views, having lived in the country, are diametrically opposed to yours. As for China virus’, it was the vehicle to fortify the 2020 election, and conceal Biden’s obvious mental failing, so doubt he’ll be up to COVID II, or let the DS choose which ‘experts’ to rely on to mitigate its impact.
Anyway, he’s got, as they say, form, and a brutality of action that many think is needed now, given how far down the path the US has gone. Either way, the young determine the future of a nation and the iron grasp of the progressive super-state is beginning to slip with that demographic (especially men), so there’s always hope.

Posted by: Milites | Jul 25 2024 19:54 utc | 179

Any truth to the story that Romania has started shooting down Russian drones that come too close to Romanian territory?

Posted by: Ed4 | Jul 25 2024 19:58 utc | 181

Posted by: lex talionis | Jul 25 2024 17:42 utc | 167
Astute comment. Given the people running the countries institutions went through an educational process that had been infiltrated and influenced by Marxist objectives (albeit adapted) I don’t think this end state was all that surprising.

Posted by: Milites | Jul 25 2024 20:07 utc | 183

With last report from Dima I got a slightly positive feeling that Russia is slowly getting the upper hand. These are not big victories but they are victories.
The biggest danger for Russia is a trap of negotiations. The westbos still untouched in this war and can be sangerous in the eventual next phase.

Posted by: vargas | Jul 25 2024 20:14 utc | 185

Milites | Jul 25 2024 19:54 utc | 180
The problem I see in the US is there are many positions in which the president can pick a nominee but that person has to be approved by senate or congress (not sure of exact duties ect for each house in the US).
Secretary of state, Director of CIA, Defence minister ect ect. Essentially, whoever owns the so called elected representatives controls who the president can appoint.
I believe for any change to occur in the US ‘democratically’, is that one party that is not controlled by sponsors and lobbyists must control both houses and the presidency.
I think with the numbers now in favor of the realist/nationalist faction in the US, there is far less chance of thermonuclear war, but they too, are not ready or willing to join the multi-polar world. US exceptionalism is as strong as ever.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jul 25 2024 20:32 utc | 187

Posted by: HB_Norica | Jul 25 2024 15:02 utc | 142
Part of the debate about casualty figures is fuelled (pun intended) by weapons like thermobarics, as their destructive impact is so great they literally leave nothing behind. Seen footage of a Ukrainian platoon position examined after being hit by a TOS, but there’s only enough assorted organic material remaining to make up a fire team!
If people want to honestly examine the disparities between claimed and admitted casualty figures check out those listed as missing. 900+ in Krynki alone, weapons like FAB’s literally vaporise people. There were accounts in WW1-2 of troops finding pale, greyish fragments scattered around after a bombardment, only to realise they were strips of flesh in which the blood had been explosively removed. Modern weapons, from auto cannons and grenade launchers to large calibre tank guns and ATGM’s often leave little behind that is recognisably an individual human being, it’s why ID tags are duplicated, with one pair attached to a boot (feet are great survivors apparently).

Posted by: Milites | Jul 25 2024 20:41 utc | 189

French people knows a lot about the art of war:
° 1812: big defeat against Russia;
° 1870: big defeat against Prussia;
° 1914: big defeat against Germany;
° 1940: big and very quick defeat against Germany;
° 1954: big defeat against Vietnam;
° 1962: big defeat against Algeria.
In fact they know a lot about the art of defeat.

Posted by: Naive | Jul 25 2024 20:48 utc | 191

even though they twisted and manipulated the truth,
Posted by: Milites | Jul 25 2024 20:18 utc | 187
Will you be so kind as to elaborate on that one?
Posted by: Naive | Jul 25 2024 20:44 utc | 191
Bluffing? The biggest one was just before the Turkish peace talks, I think RF had a huge portion of the SMO troops wia. Doesn’t mater that AFU had lost a lot more, a pause was needed.

Posted by: Newbie | Jul 25 2024 20:54 utc | 193

Posted by: Milites | Jul 25 2024 17:31 utc | 165
###########
Reagan also talked about ending the Dept of Education.
Reagan was also shot.
Guess what?
The Dept of Education is bigger than ever today.
Let me know when that Wall gets built …

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jul 25 2024 21:00 utc | 195

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jul 25 2024 21:00 utc | 196
A historical jibes about the Wall aside, at least we agree on the queen, in this colony of fascistic drones. He might not abolish it entirely, but he’ll probably seek a solution that focuses on the 10th amendment, similar to that found for the Roe v Wade dilemma.

Posted by: Milites | Jul 25 2024 21:50 utc | 197

And I do not think that losses of the Russian army were significant.
Posted by: Naive | Jul 25 2024 22:04 utc | 199
By the end of march, if I had to guess, more than half of the RF SMO forces had been killed or injured (66 k total, maybe 11 k Killed 11 k permanently out of action, but also of importance, another 44 k needing treatment and recovery).
Little over a third of the forces were in pristine state and logistics was also an issue.
I guess that’s why Bojo was able to sell Z the “fight and win” joke. What Z forgot was that by April those 44k were already recovered and plans for the September mobilization set in motion.
That’s the reason why lines had to be redrawn when the AFU attacked early in September, less than 100k couldn’t hold those long lines.
Life’s a bitch when you are forced to take a knife to a gun fight.
Luckily the blade was sharp and true.

Posted by: Newbie | Jul 25 2024 22:24 utc | 199