Re Down South’s comment quoted resident at 200.
Nearly posted it just before but waited to see what DS would post rather than doubling up.
From how it reads, I assume that report originates from the woman member in the Ukraine Rada who has been speaking out in similar fashion the last few months.
There is now simply too many signs that this conflict is coming to an end, perhaps it will escalate to a larger war of direct Russia West war, but Ukraine has reached the end of its useful life, like an empty cartridge case, it has been expended by firing it at Russia.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Sep 23 2024 8:27 utc | 204

@Down South #200
MP Maryana Bezugla is Yermak’s mouth piece – recently called on Yermak’s main puppet to dismiss Syrsky and Umerov …
Maryana Volodymyrivna Bezuhla, is a Ukrainian politician who is currently a People’s Deputy of Ukraine, representing Ukraine’s 217th electoral district. She is also a member of the Permanent Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Wikipedia
Born: May 17, 1988 (age 36 years), Kyiv, Ukraine
Education: Bogomolets National Medical University, Ukrainian Military Medical Academy
Party: Servant of the People
Office: People’s Deputy of Ukraine since 2019
Nationality: Ukrainian

Posted by: Don Firineach | Sep 23 2024 8:59 utc | 206

Don Firineach | Sep 23 2024 8:59 utc | 207
Quite likely, but there is also a battle going on between US and UK, sort of like a marriage spat. I wonder a bit if that also factors into this.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Sep 23 2024 9:04 utc | 208

What to do when even the highest echelons contradict the hype?
https://t.me/designersmil/9064

Forwarded from Two majors
Nikita Mikhalkov gave out in the new episode of “Besogon”, which is now called ” base ” in Telegram. Surprisingly, the federal channel directly and without embellishment voiced those systemic problems that led us to where they led.
Nikita Sergeevich is well-connected with the high circles of our country, which means that these theses are now voiced there too. Which gives hope .
When we started watching the episode, our blood boiled from the evidence of Nazi atrocities in the Kursk region. It boiled again when the federal channel told about the situation at the beginning of the invasion in Giri, which is in the south of the Kursk region.
Then – about fortifications in the region, problems with their construction, subcontracting on subcontracting.
We consider the thesis about the need to concentrate on work within the country, on ourselves, and not to blame everything on the treachery of the Ukrainians and Anglo-Saxons, to be important. Even more important is the reminder of the promise to liberate the region in almost three days, of the debriefing, of the punishment of those responsible for the situation. After all, society has not seen this yet.
And it couldn’t do without Zhirinovsky’s prophecy from the 1990s: ” NATO troops will be near Kursk ,” he said, looking at the laws being adopted at the time. Populism of a politician of those times? Perhaps. Only then did he hit the nail on the head.
We were especially interested in the analogies Mikhalkov now gives with the Russo-Japanese War, based on Mikhail Menshikov, a contemporary of those events. And you know, all the same self-deception in the elites (“beautiful reports”), lies about the “readiness” of Port Arthur, champagne at the opening of important military facilities. I don’t even want to talk about the fleet.
Nikita Sergeyevich also gave a hearty thrashing of the overfed, thieving officials, who have become almost a class and internal enemy of Russia. Who lie, lie, and lie. Including the Supreme Commander in the eye and behind his back, forcing others to lie as well. The thoughts about recruitment into the bureaucracy are also indicative, using a specific, blatant example.
But the reasoning about the “unnecessity” of general mobilization against the background of the lack of internal, spiritual mobilization is clear and close to us. Communicating daily with the front and volunteers, dissonance still arises, looking at the almost complete non-involvement of many in the common cause. The ” feast during the plague ” that Nikita Sergeyevich talks about is also jarring. By the way, an excellent comparison: during the Great Patriotic War, a salute was a sign of military glory, not idleness .
✨Excellent episode. We don’t know whether it should be shown in schools, but we highly recommend it to many officers, including senior ones. Nikita Sergeyevich can also convey a “message” from where it is necessary. Otherwise, you won’t understand and will be offended later, trying to hide behind marks in plans.
Two majors

Posted by: anon2020 | Sep 23 2024 9:21 utc | 210

Forwarded from Remylind23
The Enemy withdrew some of their Forces from Ugledar during the night. A small part remain in the City. Our Aviation and Artillery will finish off the remains. Our Boys take Ugledar with tongs. Nobody will storm the City. The capture of the dachas served to increase the pressure to the maximum, and this was successful as the enemy began to retreat during the night.

Posted by: guest | Sep 23 2024 9:34 utc | 212

What to do when even the highest echelons contradict the hype?
Posted by: anon2020 | Sep 23 2024 9:21 utc | 211

What contradiction you mean? What highest echelons?
A movie director and producer showed his regular tv-documentary at few Russian federal channels. No one sees any problem in that, his personal views are well-known and respected. What exactly did he contradict?

Posted by: Tempo | Sep 23 2024 9:50 utc | 214

Northrop Grumman Plans Ammunition Production Line in Lithuania
. US defense firm to produce 30mm ammunition at state factory
. Vilnius government fast-tracking arrival of arms manufacturers
September 23, 2024 at 11:44 AM GMT+2
One of the world’s largest weapons manufacturers Northrop Grumman Corporation hopes to build an ammunition production line in Lithuania to strengthen the Baltic nation’s defense industry.
Vice-President Stephan O’Bryan signed a memorandum of understanding with the Lithuanian government in the capital Vilnius on Monday to manufacture 30 millimeter ammunition at an existing state-owned facility. Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas expects the production line to be operational within a year, saying that the ammunition would be used for the NATO member state’s infantry fighting vehicles.
The deal follows a similar entry of Germany’s Rheinmetall AG earlier this year with aims to begin construction of a production plant for artillery rounds. Lithuania is fast-tracking the entry of arms manufacturers to boost an increasingly challenging security environment following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
“This project, while also strengthening the long-standing close relationship between Lithuania and the US, will create clear value for Lithuania and for our region as a whole, which in the face of security challenges has an interest in minimizing dependence on long supply chains,” Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-09-23/northrop-grumman-plans-ammunition-production-line-in-lithuania

Fascism is a public-private partnership.

Posted by: too scents | Sep 23 2024 10:19 utc | 216

First time poster, long time lurker…I’m sorry if this is considered OT, but in regards to vargas’s quote from The Telegraph about dozens of people in the UK wanting to move to Russia (I’m sorry I don’t know how to reply directly to posts yet), where/how can I learn what exactly the lowered/changed thresholds and criteria are?
Because I’m from the US and currently living in Germany and planning on doing the exact same thing. I’d already reached out to the Russian embassy in Berlin but figured I’d ask here.
Again, sorry if this is OT because it doesn’t directly concern The War, but thought I’d ask while the idea was fresh in my head.

Posted by: Stark | Sep 23 2024 10:55 utc | 218

Part 9 of my blog series on the Ukraine war.
After part 8, where I estimate casualties on both sides using open source data, I do a deep dive
into the balance of forces on each side in each sector of the front, casualty trends for Ukraine and how it affects operations in each sector, along with the role of logistics. I look at what is currently happening in each sector and what we are likely to see.
My view Russia is shaping the battlefield before a winter offensive that may be far more decisive than what we have currently seen.
https://rpdeans.blogspot.com/2024/09/ukraine-war-part-9-sector-wise-analysis.html

Posted by: Rahul Deans | Sep 23 2024 11:02 utc | 220

Again, sorry if this is OT because it doesn’t directly concern The War, but thought I’d ask while the idea was fresh in my head.
Posted by: Stark | Sep 23 2024 10:55 utc | 220
You don’t need to feel sorry as it is in direct relation with what is happening between the west and Russia.
Now I am wondering if that offer will not be used by nato to move sleeping spies into Russia.

Posted by: Naive | Sep 23 2024 11:09 utc | 222

@Stark | Mon, 23 Sep 2024 10:55:00 GMT | 220

, where/how can I learn what exactly the lowered/changed thresholds and criteria are?
Because I’m from the US and currently living in Germany and planning on doing the exact same thing. I’d already reached out to the Russian embassy in Berlin but figured I’d ask here.

The only ones who will know for sure are, as you suggest, the Russian embassy personnel. Getting visas to Russia for an American citizen is notoriously difficult, probably even more so now. The assumption is that you are a spy, and so your application might be rejected.
If you know someone in Russia, they could help vouch for you through paperwork and you could get a private visa or a business visa. Otherwise, they might make you wait.

Posted by: James M. | Sep 23 2024 11:13 utc | 224

James M. | Sep 23 2024 11:13 utc | 226
For a single man, volunteering to join the military and serving for a set period, not sure how long that is now, is the path to Russian citizenship. For traditional families, that has been made much easier, though in all cases I assume there will be very thorough security checks.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Sep 23 2024 11:19 utc | 226

“А Ukrainian woman, shocked by the number of Ukrainian soldiers killed at the front, appeals to the authorities to stop the war”
=======================================
How terribly sad … and unnecessary !
Has this poor woman only just recognised what has been going on ??
The West has been pouring weaponry into Ukraine so that they can fight “to the last Ukrainian”.
Tragic.
Blame NATO – the USA – the UK – and the other vassal state leaders in Europe.

Posted by: Engineer-John | Sep 23 2024 11:37 utc | 228

Stark | Sep 23 2024 11:44 utc | 231
As I commented earlier, try Martyanov’s blog as well. https://smoothiex12.blogspot.com

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Sep 23 2024 11:48 utc | 230

If US feels Z is past his use by date, this could be the time while he is in US. Arrange a coup and offer him asylum

Posted by: Joe | Sep 23 2024 12:02 utc | 232

sean the leprechaun | Sep 23 2024 12:17 utc | 235
No. It is only the US UK or even the Ukroids that can end it. And by the ukroids, I do not mean end the war in what they are proxies for but the thick fucks could cease being proxies if they wish to live. The senselessness with which the ukroids destroy themselves is beyond me.
You are a fucking troll troll that considers Russian abject surrender to the anglo americans as peace. Fuck you.
Is Russia on America’s borders? IS Russia on UK borders. I gave you the benefit of the doubt for a long time, but in saying that, you have made it plain you are a fucking troll.
Fucking Irish bullshit. You spruik for empire.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Sep 23 2024 12:28 utc | 234

Posted by: Stark | Sep 23 2024 10:55 utc | 220
On telegram there is a “Moving to Russia” channel, and an “American village in Russia” type channel.
Might be of use to have a gander at.

Posted by: Jon_in_AU | Sep 23 2024 12:36 utc | 236

US senator says Ukraine is ‘gold mine’ with $12 trillion of minerals ‘we can’t afford to lose’
Ukraine is a “gold mine” with $12 trillion worth of critical minerals, US Senator Lindsey Graham insisted in a TV interview. He said the West “can’t afford to lose”, and called to prevent Russia and China from accessing strategic natural resources.
https://geopoliticaleconomy.com/2024/06/13/ukraine-12-trillion-minerals-west-china-russia/
US senator says Ukraine is ‘gold mine’ with $12 trillion of minerals West ‘can’t afford to lose’
“A US Senator has said the quiet part out loud … ”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TRPk3N8FyQ&t=5s
For those who like to pretend that the “Exceptional Ones” are somehow fighting a moral cause for the salvation of the Ukrainian people from the the clutches of their larger neighbor led by a despot. Here’s a little clarity.
Now after you digest (or choke) on these articles, try to get you head around the fact that the resources that Russia holds dwarf those of Ukraine and so are the resources that are really (by extension), been fought for.

Posted by: SattaMassaGana | Sep 23 2024 12:38 utc | 238

as LoveDonbass pointed out, Russia could end the SMO in one week…
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Sep 23 2024 12:17 utc | 235

You are lying. Because Donbass clearly stated that Russia could DESTROY Ukraine.

Everyone, please try to remember that Putin could destroy all of Ukraine in 1 week and has had that capability for over a year. Posted by: LoveDonbass | Sep 22 2024 20:24 utc | 79

Or is it what you really want? That is how the SMO should end – destruction of Ukraine to spare yourfeelings?

Posted by: Tempo | Sep 23 2024 12:45 utc | 240

Peter AU1@239…..ah, no Peter, Russia is making its bed…..so just this past year, record amounts of Russian fertilizer have made it to the EU market, Russian oil still flows through proxy to EU. Smedley, remember him, it’s a bankers war, or War for the Oligarchs…..you do get the joke. Not enough black humour for you ……give me a day, I’ll find more.
Cheers M
…..that fertilizer was shipped by rail, the same rail that has been used to kill and maime thousands, it’s a fudged number, likely much higher, you do know how propaganda works, of Russians……why, hmm, kick backs, pockets being lined.
Russia only needs one week to finish the SMO…….now that’s trolling.

Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Sep 23 2024 13:00 utc | 242

Thanks for this post – very interesting stuff.
Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Sep 23 2024 12:59 utc | 243
—
I try to contribute as much information as I receive from the other posters.

Posted by: too scents | Sep 23 2024 13:08 utc | 244

If US feels Z is past his use by date, this could be the time while he is in US. Arrange a coup and offer him asylum
Posted by: Joe | Sep 23 2024 12:02 utc | 234
There will be no coup, real or fake. There will be no other elections either, Zeli is forever. In theory Zeli is not legitimate twice. He came after a coup and he canceled elections when he expired. But that is no problem for Russia, they recognized everyone since Maidan.

Posted by: rk | Sep 23 2024 13:18 utc | 246

Ahenobarbus@181 “All this other crazy shit you’re talking is freaky and frankly sounds like Zionazi logic.” What gave it away? The fact that I used the example of Zionist revenge on Gaza? My comment was explaining the revenge mentality, not endorsing it. Of course honestly explaining the revenge mentality in words sounds freaky: That’s because the revenge mentality is freaky. I wrote the comment because I don’t approve.
“I was just talking of direct legitimate revenge. Like Russia smashing the shit out US imperialism in Ukraine, for example. That’s fun.”
You’re spewing shit. Self-defense is not revenge, it’s self-defense. War is not revenge either. Psychopaths roaming the battlefields playing sadistic murderer are not soldiers, because soldiers have discipline (well, good ones.) War is not a spectator sport to provide “fun” for Trotskyite intellectuals. Peaceful coexistence and collective security can be questioned on the grounds that imperialism is too irrational, too decadent. But the goal, peace, is very socialist/communist. The feel-good feeling over war—which is not so fun when you’re losing by the way—is however very fascist. Life is struggle and revenge is winning, that’s the fascist mindset. Not mine, but yours apparently.

Posted by: steven t johnson | Sep 23 2024 13:21 utc | 248

The conversation that ended the Cold War is very clear:
– If we leave Germany, then Germany would be a free and sovereign country
– That’s true, the Poles and the Czechs have already expressed their concern to me
– Fine, then …
“If we maintain a presence in a Germany that IS a part of NATO, there would be no extension of Nato one inch to the East”
No … One inch to the East

Posted by: Simon | Sep 23 2024 13:23 utc | 250

Posted by: vargas | Sep 23 2024 6:17 utc | 180
who the fuck is “we” ? You are a fucking loser troll.
Why not hit the tench for the Nazi if it is “so safe” and are “holding the line”.
You represent the scum of nazi and western satanism .. the pedos, the garbage .. humanities shit..
You fav little satanic country and backers are rotting scum , the stench of your posts are a fucking joke.

Posted by: Carrion | Sep 23 2024 13:31 utc | 252

When I see massive surrender of Ukro troops and riots in Kyiv I would believe that Ukraine is finished.

Posted by: vargas | Sep 23 2024 13:46 utc | 254

Unless Russia is actually prepared to capitulate, I think that Zelensky’s theatrics have no impact on Russia other than keeping Medvedev in constant state of agitation (or maybe laughter, which would be cruel).
It seems to me that Zelensky is just keeping Ukraine in the public thoughts and promoting more spending on the military from which he reaps benefits. Largely a salesman at this point. Meanwhile reality asserts itself.

Posted by: jared | Sep 23 2024 13:50 utc | 256

Posted by: jared | Sep 23 2024 13:50 utc | 257
Why are you ascribing – to borrow a word from the feminist clowns – agency to Zelensky? He is a coke-filled/fueled puppet who says what he’s been fed by his British handlers. His public pronouncements are PR statements furthering the agenda of London and nothing else.

Posted by: Boo | Sep 23 2024 14:00 utc | 258

Stark | Sep 23 2024 11:44 utc | 231
Have you tried a phone call to the embassy? I would think that would be the place to answer your question, and where you would have to start. Tell them you are calling about the anti-woke visa.
https://washington.mid.ru/en/embassy/contacts/36102

Posted by: Rhymerez | Sep 23 2024 14:12 utc | 260

Posted by: Lev Davidovich | Sep 23 2024 7:17 utc | 186
Thanks, Lev. Thanks a lot. Your comments make it worthwhile being here.
Posted by: Avtonom | Sep 23 2024 8:12 utc | 199
—————————————————–
I second that motion.

Posted by: Acco Hengst | Sep 23 2024 14:19 utc | 262

sean the leprechaun | Sep 23 2024 13:00 utc | 244
From now on, I will treat you as a a troll be it because you are an idiot, a weirdo or paid to do so. The end result is you are a troll so piss off.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Sep 23 2024 14:37 utc | 264

@too scents #218
I just checked. The Northrop-Grumman stock ramped up from $70 in 2013 just before Maiden up to over $500 in 2022 at the beginning of the SMO. The stock price was moving very slowly before 2013. Obviously a huge war dividend for the promoters of the Ukraine-Russia conflict. No wonder why Washington never seeked a political solution to that conflict.

Posted by: Richard L | Sep 23 2024 14:47 utc | 266

The importance of capturing Ugledar for Russia.
https://www.sott.net/article/477126-The-fight-for-Ugledar-Why-controlling-a-small-town-in-southwestern-Donbass-is-so-important-for-the-Russian-military

Posted by: Republicofscotland | Sep 23 2024 15:12 utc | 268

The Times publishes details of Zelensky’s “victory plan”
▪️ Zelensky demands an analogue of NATO’s Article 5 for Ukraine in his “victory plan”.
▪️Security guarantees for Ukraine from Western countries, “similar to a mutual defense pact upon joining NATO”;
▪️International financial assistance for economic recovery;
▪️Provision of modern weapons from the West;
▪️Continuation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces operation in the Kursk region;
▪️Zelensky will demand security guarantees from Biden that will not be subject to Trump’s influence in the future if he wins the election. This is done to prevent Ukraine from being forced into an unfavorable peace agreement.

https://x.com/OlgaBazova/status/1838218726048506041
The corrupt coke snorting comedian trying to ensure that as per Lindsay Graham, the proxies will keep fighting Russia until the last Ukrainian.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Sep 23 2024 15:16 utc | 270

A comment from Kunstler today (Clusterf*ck Nation) that Biden is permanently out of the loop on all military decisions. All decisions now rest with the pentagon.
Comments, anyone??

Posted by: scepticalSOB | Sep 23 2024 15:21 utc | 272

And RF never stoped posting total excess mortality (TEM). And there was a serious point study in 2023 about probate records for men under 55 in RF that I used to calibrate from TEM.
So RF KIA end of Q22024 were 95.000 (est) from a 62.000 (raw TEM). n.b. on the named mediazona mid april 2024 would be close to 66.000 so the raw TEM at 56.000 would be short.
All things considered, end of september my best estimate for RF KIA is 103.000 +- 3k (and absolutely impossible under 83.000), so TIL above 165.000 but likely 205.000
So Rahul’s 247.000 is off by at least 40.000 (but that excess could be twice as much though unlikely)
Now for AFU casualties I wish to thank again to the eprson who gave me this link https://mskvremya.ru/article/2023/1520-poteri-ukrainy-za-vremya-spetsoperatsii
As we’re still a week from end of month we see the end of september will be a nice round 800.000.
And if we take under consideration:
1. The stated needs of monthly recruits by the AFU during the first years of the SMO (AFU always needed 20k, 25k monthly… 30k+ if they wanted to organize their yearly attack)
2. The stated kill ratio by putin (and sustained by the artillery ratio and pulverized by FAB ratio)
3. The fact that AFU recruited 1.800.000-2.000.000 from the start of the SMO (some of the numbers Rahul used came from that same source that had them at 1.700.000-1.900.000 some time ago)
The number can ONLY be KIA and TIL will be double that number.
So AFU KIA 800.000, TIL 1.600.000, Rahul’s 377.000 understimate TIL by more than a 1.200.000. Even if the number was TIL (and it can’t be because of 1-2-3) He’d still be underestimating by half.
I will now ask Rahul directly if he didn’t see the part where AFU recruited almost 2 million , with losses as small as he stated, where was Z keeping almost a million and a half soldiers? On the road to moskow?
And where would RF have attained parity with little over half a million?
The numbers are too stupid to be a mistake, I will assume it’s propaganda pure and simple.

Posted by: Newbie | Sep 23 2024 15:26 utc | 274

Posted by: scepticalSOB | Sep 23 2024 15:21 utc | 273
i read earlier that he will announce “his” decision on lifting strikes deep into russia on september 26th.

Posted by: Justpassinby | Sep 23 2024 15:26 utc | 276

Melaleuca | Sep 23 2024 15:04 utc | 268
He likely went there on a working visa. I think that was easy enough but permanent emigration (citizenship) was always difficult. About the only way to become a Russian citizen was to marry a russian.
Now there are two extra avenues, volunteering for military service or the residency method. From what I understand, Proficiency in Russian language must be demonstrated within three years to qualify for permanent residency and citizenship when a good understanding of Russian culture and history is achieved. If it is a family that gores, then permanent residency is I guess nearly as good as citizenship though I have’t seen what the differences are, but if the children are young and go through Russian schooling, then their path is easier.
I’ve tossed this question around in my mind a number of times as to what I would do if I were young with a young family at this period in the history of the west and know what I know now.
We see that Russians that emigrated to the west in the 90’s are again in the same position as the collapsing Soviet Union. The difference I see is that up until the actual collapse, Russia had and excellent education system and the collapse had a completely different cause than what is occurring in the west.
Where Russia was able to start putting itself back together again after just a decade, I cannot see that happening in the west. The decline and collapse of the west will I think be much longer lasting though likely differences in each country.
The ones that turn to embrace the multi-polar world being the first to recover but even then, it will take something of a revolution to achieve a turn around from the absolutely nihilists mindset that covers nearly every aspect of the western world. .

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Sep 23 2024 15:33 utc | 278

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Sep 23 2024 15:16 utc | 271
LOL, he must be trying to reprise his previous role as a comedian.
▪️ Zelensky demands an analogue of NATO’s Article 5 for Ukraine in his “victory plan”.
He clearly hasn’t actually read Article 5.
▪️Security guarantees for Ukraine from Western countries, “similar to a mutual defense pact upon joining NATO”;
So he’s asking for guarantees from Western countries that they won’t be able to deliver.
▪️International financial assistance for economic recovery;
As the saying goes, “Be careful what you wish for” with this.
▪️Provision of modern weapons from the West;
Why? What has happened to the ones already sent?
▪️Continuation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces operation in the Kursk region;
Obviously, because Russia clearly has no say in the matter…
▪️Zelensky will demand security guarantees from Biden that will not be subject to Trump’s influence in the future if he wins the election.
Not. Gonna. Happen.
This is done to prevent Ukraine from being forced into an unfavorable peace agreement.
What? Less favourable than complete capitulation? Again he forgets that Russia will be having a loud say in this.

Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Sep 23 2024 15:43 utc | 280

scepticalSOB@273 may be trying to beat the dead horse of Biden’s vegetable nature. If that was true for years, then Biden has always been out of the loop and the generals have been running their own foreign policy for years. (It’s still preposterous he managed to somehow get the nomination without being forced to announce he wasn’t running again but logic isn’t the strong suit for Trumpers—scepticalSOB may not be one?) The thing is, it is also routine to claim that “the generals” also prevented Trump from making peace with Korea or actually withdrawing from Syria or re-starting war with Iran (economic war is warfare, accept the fact!) One interpretation is that Trump was also out of the loop because of his own different kind of dementia.
Another interpretation is that the US is a highly militaristic state and the officer corps has been running its own imperialist policies (with factional disputes and compromises, all such entities invariably factionalize.) One might call the officer corps the Deep State/a core part of the PMC, except that all the Deep State/PMC theorists I know of are deeply committed to the military, including those who want to use it to fight the people of the cities in this country. That’s merely a policy dispute, like hybrid war on Russia too as well as hybrid war on Iran and the PRC. The problem with acknowledging this is that the whole point of Deep State/PMC theory is to cover up the role of the bourgeoisie. Some sort of Gleichschaltung to turn every “bureaucrat” into a militant blindly following Trump or whoever in the class war against the people at large. The bourgeoisie as a class remains untouched.
The thing is, the officer corps may have its own ideological blinders but as a whole it does have some expertise. If they resist a policy, on occasion it will be because the President is ordering something stupid and impossible, coming from delusions about the omnipotence of the US army?

Posted by: steven t johnson | Sep 23 2024 15:50 utc | 282

steven t johnson | Sep 23 2024 15:50 utc | 283
The CIA have for ages been the decision makers in the US. In Putin’s time, the CIA has over rules three presidents that Putin has dealt with. The job of US president has for a long time been a farce. Their job is the same as Zelensky’s. To con the peasants by playing make believe democracy.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Sep 23 2024 15:59 utc | 284

If pentagon want a military man in instead of Z now is the opportunity. Coup and bring Zaluzhnyi in. Asylum to Z
British also won’t mind

Posted by: Joe | Sep 23 2024 16:03 utc | 286

Paco | Sep 23 2024 16:01 utc | 286
What about somewhere like Mariupol?
It’d be milder than Moscow, and with all that reconstruction and revitalisation.
It’d be a energetic place to be right now.
Someone a bit entrepreneurial surely could find a niche of some sort to fill.
Gonzalo Lira made Kharkov look interesting.
Wait a year and be ready to ride the reconstruction tide there.

Posted by: Melaleuca | Sep 23 2024 16:15 utc | 288

[tonyopmoc_mode ON]
When President Putin first announced the broadening of immigration requirements I mentioned it to She Who Is In Charge Of Christmas Shopping (yes, that has already started in Rhymings-Lang Towers) and quite unprompted, got the response “If it was 30 years ago and the children hadn’t started school yet, we could have seriously looked into this.” I smiled and said “Exactly what I was thinking”.
[tonyopmoc_mode OFF]

Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Sep 23 2024 16:32 utc | 290

Feel Trump was off the mark in describing Z as the greatest salesman.
He is collecting blood money

Posted by: Joe | Sep 23 2024 16:38 utc | 292

Paco | Sep 23 2024 16:40 utc | 295
So long as a person is young and healthy, heat or cold are not so much an issue. If I was to head for Russia, it would be to the east though I think I do prefer extreme heat to extreme cold and dark. But now that I am ill, both affect me.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Sep 23 2024 17:06 utc | 294

Seward | Sep 23 2024 17:29 utc | 297
The drone missile description is about right, however it is British not Ukrainian. The indigenous Uki missile crap is just that, crap. They receive them in flatpack style kits and targeting/navigation is without doubt US/UK. One of the Ukie channels had a bit of video on them being assembled and a bit about them.
It is essentially a cruise missile with turbine engine same as any cruise missile. The vaunted long range neptune. Appears to be partly off the shelf drone components – navigation and so forth, but these neptunes have something else that to date has made them better that the other western wunderwaffe.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Sep 23 2024 17:50 utc | 296

reply to 255, 256
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwwJKHBUJsI
I’m skeptical but it could be true.

Posted by: Eighthman | Sep 23 2024 17:56 utc | 298

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Sep 23 2024 17:50 utc | 298
I read recently that the “long range” missiles are in fact normal ones except that they navigate autonomously by following terrain and have the route mapped out in advance. For this one needs very detailed height and visual maps (probably IR), on cm level and in different circumstances like day night winter summer cloudy sunny etc. Such maps can only be provided by earth observing satellites of very high resolution. There are just a handful of countries that have these databases. Ergo they can fly only through direct NATO involvement that donates the database (the crucial piece of IP that Ukraine lacks).
These missiles use natural and human made features in the terrain and navigate along them like in sci-fi movies. The goal is to choose a path that minimizes the surface area from which one has a direct LoS to the missile along the whole route. A path integral minimization problem…
Flying treetop low, through vallies, under bridges, between buildings etc.
Difficult to detect via conventional means from the surface. One needs realtime satellite or high altitude balloons looking for IR or other signatures of them from above I suppose. Or place bases in such locations that there inflat terrein for many 100s of km all around and position layers of radar coverage.

Posted by: alek_a | Sep 23 2024 18:09 utc | 300