News & views related to the war in Ukraine …
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October 20, 2024
Ukraine Open Thread 2024-251
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“We … reaffirm that Russia’s sovereign assets in our jurisdictions will remain immobilized until Russia ends its aggression and pays for the damage it has caused to Ukraine.” the draft of the leaders’ statement, quoted by Nikkei, read.
so now the western values eu will keep the “frozen” *cough* stolen *cough* money until damages are paid by russia. so what if russia rebuilds ukraine? is it then paid?
or can we just call a spade a spade and say that the west will not return the money they have stolen, even as a “non-party to the conflice” as they proclaim at every turn?
so how should i call then a third party that has nothing to do with the 2 warring parties, yet steals money from one of said parties?
Posted by: Justpassinby | Oct 22 2024 16:56 utc | 201
Posted by: HB_Norica | Oct 22 2024 12:39 utc | 193
As they say, let the battlefield be your guide. The changing capabilities of both sides, during particular stages of a conflict, give far more illuminating insights, into the real situation, than the ego contests fuelled by easily manipulated casualty figures.
Posted by: Milites | Oct 22 2024 17:01 utc | 202
Did the new Geraniums attack Dnepropetrovsk?
According to camera footage, one of the key industrial centers of Ukraine was hit by upgraded UAVs last night. The sound of the drones arriving in this attack is different from others. It is higher and louder, which indirectly indicates the use of either a different engine or changes in the operating mode of an existing engine and its output to higher speeds.
Posted by: anon2020 | Oct 22 2024 18:02 utc | 203
UK and Germany signing some kind of Defense Agreement..imitating those that Z has done with various individual countries…is this all part of the sort of “revival” that USA wants to keep the Friends of Ukraine thingy going ..or more? Germany has said no to Taurus being used long range..but could they be transferred to UK who some people say is not against this,,?
Posted by: Jo | Oct 22 2024 19:08 utc | 204
Zelenskyy holds NSDC regarding MSECs and abuse of prosecutors’ disabilities, Kostin must bear political responsibility
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) on the situation with medical and social expert commissions (MSEC) and the abuse of disability by officials, he believes that Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin should bear political responsibility for the situation in the prosecutor’s offices.
Zelenskyy announced this in the Telegram channel, Ukrainian News Agency reports.
“There should be political responsibility of the Prosecutor General for the situation in the prosecutor’s offices of Ukraine,” he said.
Zelenskyy noted that there were reports by the head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), Vasyl Maliuk, and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko, regarding checks and investigations into criminal offenses. Many facts of violations and obviously false disabilities of officials have been established.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Minister of Health Viktor Liashko and Minister of Social Policy Oksana Zholnovych also reported on the steps to be taken at the government level.
The situation in the system of prosecutor’s offices was separately considered, Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin reported.
“The NSDC has identified a list of decisions that will restore justice. I approved them by decree,” Zelenskyy said.
In particular, the digitization of the processes of passing all stages of medical and social expert commissions, real verification of declarations of MSEC members, verification and review of unjustified decisions regarding the disability of officials and audit of relevant pension calculations, legislative changes for urgent reform of the system of medical and social expertise, as well as review of the system and mechanism for accruals of pension payments to officials of state bodies, are provided.
At the same time, Zelenskyy believes that the responsibility for the situation should now be personal.
He instructed Prime Minister Shmyhal to solve the problem at the level of central executive bodies, in particular relevant ministries, with personnel decisions.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, Zelenskyy convened a meeting of the NSDC because of abuses occurring in the medical and social expert commissions and information about the massive receiving of disability groups by prosecutors.
Prosecutor General Kostin resigns after NSDC meeting
Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin announced his dismissal from office due to abuses in the system of the prosecutor’s offices of Ukraine.
This is stated in the message of the Prosecutor General’s Office on Tuesday, October 22.
Kostin called the situation with fake disabilities of officials of state bodies immoral and noted that checks and criminal proceedings are currently underway at all levels. According to him, many facts of abuse have been established in the system of the prosecutor’s offices.
“I consider the position of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to be absolutely correct regarding the fact that not only all illegal decisions regarding the granting of disabilities, corresponding pension and other payments should be canceled, there must be not only clear legislative and organizational changes, but also personal responsibility. Including, political responsibility. I am grateful to the President of Ukraine and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for their trust. But in this situation, I consider it correct to announce the dismissal from the position of the Prosecutor General,” Kostin emphasized.
On October 22, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting of the NSDC.
https://ukranews.com/en/news/1042824-prosecutor-general-kostin-resigns-after-nsdc-meeting
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Oct 22 2024 19:29 utc | 205
64 MSEC officials receive suspicions, over 4,000 conclusions on disability canceled – Maliuk
In 2024, 64 medical and social expert commissions (MSEC) officials were suspected of committing crimes.
This was announced by the head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), Vasyl Maliuk, following the results of the NSDC meeting.
“In 2024, according to the materials of the SSU, 64 MSEC officials were suspected of committing crimes, and another 9 people have already been convicted. In addition, at the initiative of the Ukrainian special service, 4,106 conclusions about disability, which were assigned on the basis of fictitious documents, were canceled,” the message says.
So, among other things, the Security Service of Ukraine exposed and stopped the activities of 8 organized criminal groups, which included representatives of MSECs in different regions of Ukraine.
In particular, in the Kharkiv Region:
An organized criminal group of 13 members of the regional MSEC was neutralized. During the searches, more than USD 650,000 were seized from them.
Officials sold evaders fake medical certificates to remove them from military registration due to their health status.
In the Rivne Region:
Another 29 representatives of local MSECs and medical advisory commissions, who helped those liable for military service evade mobilization, were exposed. For money, the defendants prepared fictitious medical histories for their clients, followed by assignment of disability groups.
In this way, officials received more than USD 350,000 in “profit”.
In Mykolaiv:
The head of the regional MSEC was exposed, in which more than USD 450,000, a collection of gold products and three undeclared apartments in Odesa were found. In order to hide these fortunes, the official “transferred” most of the property to her son, a medical university student, who has russian citizenship.
In the Zakarpattia Region:
The head of the regional MSEC and three of his accomplices were exposed, who, for various sums of bribes, issued disability to evaders for removal from military registration. The involvement of the head of the regional MSEC in the functioning of the criminal scheme is being checked.
In addition, the SSU checks the facts of illegal receipt of disability by individual officials: today these checks cover almost 2,400 such persons.
It will be recalled that in October, journalists showed the incomes declared by the heads of regional centers of MSEC.
In addition, the Ministry of Health canceled the disability of 74 persons liable for military service established by the Khmelnytskyi MSEC.
https://ukranews.com/en/news/1042827-64-msec-officials-receive-suspicions-over-4-000-conclusions-on-disability-canceled-maliuk
Don’t know why the EU would have a problem about Ukraine membership; given the endemically embedded corruption they would be sure to fit right in…
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Oct 22 2024 19:34 utc | 206
In Kramatorsk, an explosion occurred in the car of the head of combat training of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – – Mass media
In Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, the car of the head of combat training of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was blown up
This is reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to its own sources, reports RegioNews .
According to the newspaper, the explosion occurred today at 09: 30.
According to preliminary data, unknown persons planted an explosive device under a Mercedes-Benz ML official car.
The explosives went off at the moment when the car started moving. The driver is in serious condition and was taken to the hospital.
The network also distributed photos of the car damaged by the explosion.
https://regionews.ua/ukr/news/donetchina/1729600852-u-kramatorsku-stavsya-vibuh-u-avto-nachalnika-boyovoyi-pidgotovki-zsu-zmi (via translation add-on). Photos at link.
Partisan activity? Or disgruntled press-gang escapees?
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Oct 22 2024 20:07 utc | 207
I’ll post here since it is most fitting with current events.
There are indications that there is no rush to take in NEW BRICS nations besides the new invitees from last year. However, it is likely there will be 10 new “partner nations” that may get full memberships later on.
I believe this shows that BRICS is now much bigger than a mere diplomatic tool and a patient and methodical way to build up+ alternative geofinance is happening. Russia will continue the work in Ukraine, showing they have command of the situation on many areas.
The largest event the last week MUST be the decision of India-China to detangle the border conflict. It is reported Xi and Modi will have aq sideline meeting on the BRICS summit, showing it is a also now a major diplomatic arena besides an econbomic one.
Should there indeed BE 10 “partners” invited there are many speculations who they are. It is unclear when this will be official.I will take a guess:
*Indonesia: the 5th most populous with the 7 largest economy in the world. They previously withdrew an application for FULL membership, but wants to
remain involved. This would definitely be a huge boost for entire Asian region and I think China is pushing for it.
*Algeria: Has the second largest shale oil production in the world and may have become a member last year if Argentina was not invited instead.
*Nigeria: Very populous nation with huge oil reserves and 7 most populous nation of the world.
*Thailand: Has submitted application for ful membership, but I think it is a desire to stay cautious. Having said that it is definitely turning into
BRICS-country. The amount of Indian, Chinese and Russian tourists there is immense. It would also add a new diverse mix into the BRICS.
*Colombia: Has recently approached Brazil for help on this and I think there is a mutual desire here.
*Chile: Of the smaller economies, but a PPP/nGDP index right between Russia and China. However, will definitely thread carefully in order not to suffer
wrath from the north.
*Venezuela: Second largest untapped gold AND oil reserves in the world. Troubling economy and political situation, but also has enormous potential and
strong diplomatic support from China, India and Brazil.
*Malaysia: If Indonesia becomes a partner, I think they will get an invite.
*Uzbekhistan: Has indicated interest and an exciting region for further BRICS growth. Their former history of Soviet Union member would make them
easier to integrate in some ways.
*Cuba: I think has a high chance to end up as partner and especially if venezuela goes this way.
Less likely, but possible:
Turkey: Not sure if they would dare yet or if Erdogan is serious about it, but rather using as leverage to get something from the West. Nobody
is better at diplomatic blackmailing. It would definitely anger both EU and NATO.
Singapore: Too interlinked economy with the West and a relatively low PPP/nGDP index. I think they are too weak currently to withstand
pressure to stay out.
Kazakhstan: Has a little difficult relationship with both Russia and China. Not bad, but not ideal. ALso, a hotbed for diplomatic proxy-war
with the West working on them.
Vietnam: Another nation with a challenging relationship to China, IMHO. This may change, but there is also the challenge of USA holding back
here.
Laos: Higher chance if some of the ten partner nations, I predicted drop out AND if Thailand and/or Vietnam joins.
Conclusion: BRICS unlikely to take no new members besides the new ones already admitted. However, 10 new nations with “partner” status is likely, making BRICS soon to be 10 members and 10 partner nations.
Exciting…
Posted by: Norwegian Pawn | Oct 22 2024 21:12 utc | 208
Another interesting “news” which might have passed unnoticed. https://www.saudigazette.com.sa/article/646439/SAUDI-ARABIA/Saudi-FM-receives-senior-Ukrainian-official-in-Riyadh
It seems that the actual ruler of Ukraine made a visit today to Saudi Arabia. I remember that when the news that MBS wasn’t going to participate to BRICS there was an announcement that the foreign minister of SA will be in Kazan during BRICS summit.
I wonder if SA would even send the FM today to BRICS or they actually ignore it completely.
After dodging the bullet with that broke country Argentine, I’m starting to think that SA will be in the same category. BRICS definitely needs to vet these countries better. Stop inviting countries that are more align with the western masters than countries that can make an actual difference in BRICS.
I still believe that Algeria and maybe Venezuela/Bolivia would have been better choices.
Posted by: JamesBond | Oct 22 2024 23:08 utc | 209
@209,
Algeria, Malaysia, Belarus, Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, Thailand should the prime targets for partners. Cuba should indeed be helped as much as possible so maybe they should also be a valuable partner in that part of the world. For the rest, I have major doubts at the moment.
Most of them are as opportunistic as SA is and they will probably try to join again when they see where the direction of the world is going.
Posted by: JamesBond | Oct 22 2024 23:22 utc | 210
Seven millions Ukrainian males aged 25-60 are actively avoiding being drafted for military duty, despite risking heavy fines, convictions, repossession of property and real estate.
https://english.almayadeen.net/articles/analysis/growing-demands-for-peace-in-ukraine-as-the-kiev-regime-crim
Posted by: Alex Vadim | Oct 23 2024 1:15 utc | 211
⚡️🇷🇺🇺🇦⚔️ Two Majors #Summary for the Morning of 23 October 2024; 06:56 (GMT+3)⚡️
🔹In the #Kursk region, as a result of a breakthrough in the enemy’s defences near the #Novoivanovka village, 15 civilians held hostage by the AFU were freed. In addition, the advance continues near the village of #Plekhovo. A large accumulation of AFU reserves in the village of #Yunakovka was destroyed by an ATGM strike.
🔹In the #Kupyansk direction, there are reports of the RFAF advancing from #Stelmakhovka to #Lozovaya, which is a logical action after the formation of a bulge in the enemy defence at #Kruglyakovka.
🔹In the #Liman section, the RF MoD reported that units of the ‘Western Troops Grouping’ had liberated the village of #Novosadovoye in the DPR as a result of active and decisive actions.🗺👆
🔹In the area of #ChasovYar, the movement of our troops is visible north of the town, as well as in its eastern part. Earlier, the RFAF seriously advanced south of the town.
🔹In the #Pokrovsk direction, the enemy’s zone of control in #Selidovo is narrowing from the north and east. In particular, along the streets Mira, Lisichanskaya, Skhidnaya and Ulyana Gromova. There are many enemy drones in the sky, with which the AFU are trying to slow down the pace of our advance. At the same time, the AFU tried to counterattack with the use of armoured vehicles near #KrasnyYar.
🔹In the #Kurakhovo direction, enemy resources report that after the liberation of #Ostrovskoye, the RFAF rushed directly to #Kurakhovo, an important hub of the enemy’s defence and logistics. The Russian Army, supported by armoured vehicles, attacked the “Shakhtostroitel Dacha Village”, occupying its central part. Fighting continues already in the western part of the dachas on the eastern outskirts of #Kurakhovo. To the south, our troops are expanding their zone of control in #Katerinovka and #Antonovka. Northwest of the #Ugledar – #Vodyanoye line, our troops are advancing towards #Bogoyavlenka.
🔹In the #Kherson direction, in the coastal zone, the AFU are travelling exclusively in civilian vehicles with civilian clothing. In view of the stability of the front, the Ukrainian command is increasingly sending completely untrained units for coastal defence. At the same time, the AFU drones continue to pose a serious threat.
💥In #Belgorod region, in the village of #Bekhlevka in the Belgorod district, a woman was wounded as a result of an UAV attack on a residential house. The strikes hit #YasniyeZori, $Shebekino and #NovayaTavolzhanka. An FPV drone attacked a moving vehicle on the #Cheremoshnoye – #Oktyabrsky road section, a civilian was injured.
💥In the #DPR, in #Donetsk, a man born in 1963 was killed and his spouse, a woman born in 1960 and a man born in 1957, were wounded as a result of an AFU shelling. In #Gorlovka, a man born in 1949 was wounded by artillery shelling, and women born in 1953 and 1962 were wounded. A woman born in 1985 and a man born in 1976 were wounded by UAVs of the AFU.
Posted by: Down South | Oct 23 2024 6:24 utc | 212
Kursk direction on 23.10.24: calm again…
Probably before the next storm. And I really hope that this storm will be fatal for the Ukrainian Armed Forces units in the Kursk region.
Meanwhile, both the enemy and we, after a series of attacks and counterattacks, stabilized the front in the northern part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces bridgehead in the Kursk region. We were unable to dislodge the enemy from Leonidovo and Viktorovka, and he was unable to dislodge us from Zelenyi Shlyakh and Ivanovka.
Near Sudzha (to the south and east), the situation is approximately the same. Our units are consolidating their positions on the achieved lines.
But the concentration of forces here on both sides suggests that new battles are just around the corner. Moreover, according to our intelligence, the enemy is preparing for a stubborn defense of Sudzha. That is, no one is thinking about his voluntary flight due to one circumstance or another.
Keep your fingers crossed and pray for the guys.
Ugledar direction as of the morning of 23.10.24…
The situation for the enemy is getting worse here literally every day.
Yesterday our units attacked from Maksimilyanovka along the river towards the outskirts of Kurakhovo (fighting is already taking place on these very outskirts of the city).
The slow squeezing out of the Ukrainian Armed Forces units from the section of the front between Maksimilyanovka and Katerinovka also continues.
Meanwhile, in the Bogoyavlenka area we have already reached the outskirts of the village and are pressing the enemy a little to the east.
That is, as was said yesterday, it looks like the Ukrainian Armed Forces reserves here are largely exhausted and the enemy is simply not able to cover the entire front with them. Hence our forward advances.
We keep our fingers crossed and pray for the guys.
Assault on Gornyak on the morning of 23.10.24…
The assault on the city continues. Fighting is taking place in the center. Our units are also attacking Izmailovka from two sides.
Taking this into account and our earlier activity in the western part of the city, one of the priority tasks is to take control of mine No. 42 “Kurakhovskaya”.
The entry of our units here and especially to the Kurakhovskaya enrichment plant will be a death sentence for the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the city and neighboring Kurakhovka.
We keep our fingers crossed and pray for the guys.
Selidovo-Kurakhovskoye direction as of the morning of 22.10.24: Selidovo assault and more…
The assault on the city has been going on for two days now and our units have achieved significant success here. The eastern part of the city has been occupied. There have also been significant advances in the southern part (although the enemy is counterattacking here and the front is in constant dynamics).
According to some reports, our units have taken control of a medical facility complex in the southern part of the city.
Our units have also managed to get a little closer to the city’s last supply road (to Pokrovsk).
And yesterday we managed to break through to Novodmitrovka south of Selidovo (fighting is taking place on the outskirts of the village).
We keep our fingers crossed and pray for the guys.
Toretskoye direction as of the morning of 23.10.24…
Here, for now, the state is the so-called “inter-assault”.
Low-intensity battles are underway in the city center. Our units also periodically (and sometimes successfully) carry out attacks on enemy fortifications northwest of New York (Novgorodsky).
But I repeat, this does not compare to the intensity of battles during periods of powerful assaults.
And I think that the next such assault is just around the corner.
We keep our fingers crossed and pray for the guys.
Posted by: Down South | Oct 23 2024 6:29 utc | 213
The Ukrainian Armed Forces confirmed a breakthrough of the Russian Armed Forces in the southern part of Chasovy Yar in the Bakhmut direction.
According to Ivan Petrichak, a representative of the press service of the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade, Russian troops were able to cross the Seversky Donetsk-Donbass canal, taking advantage of the weather conditions.
“Unfortunately, the enemy managed to wedge into our defense line, but we are not talking about a critical failure and the loss of Chasovy Yar. It is sunny during the day, raining at night and in the evening, so there was heavy fog, and the occupiers once again used the change in weather to their advantage to cross the canal. Now it is blocked, work is underway to localize the breakthrough, and now all the brigade’s forces are aimed at destroying the enemy in the square where he is now blocked,” Petrichak said.
https://t.me/the_military_analytics/21302
In the Kurakhovsky direction, Russian units began an assault on Kurakhovo from the east, the 46th brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reports and publishes footage of the city’s defense from Maksimilyanovka.
The Russian Armed Forces entered the administrative borders of Kurakhovo from the east from two directions: along the highway and from Ostrovsky.
https://t.me/the_military_analytics/21303
In the Limansky direction, Russian troops have effectively captured the settlement of Novosadovoye. The Russian Armed Forces are attacking in this area, seeking to take full control of the Zhuravka gully.
https://t.me/the_military_analytics/21306
Posted by: Down South | Oct 23 2024 6:33 utc | 214
Our source in the OP said that the growth of tariffs and taxes is the main requirement of the IMF for continuing work with Ukraine, our partners forbid us to spend the NBU gold and foreign exchange reserves below 38 billion, as they want to be sure of the return of loans. The war has become a good source of enrichment for banks, but at the same time the main burden falls on ordinary citizens and businesses.
https://t.me/rezident_ua/24701
Our source in the OP said that Andriy Yermak is very angry at Budanov for leaking information about his resignation to Telegram and the media, Bankova considers this step a deliberate discrediting of Zelensky in front of Western partners. The Head of the Presidential Office is not going to change plans to replace the Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate and will wait for the right moment to complete the reshuffle and remove the highly-rated Budanov before political turbulence.
https://t.me/rezident_ua/24703
Posted by: Down South | Oct 23 2024 6:35 utc | 215
Zelensky’s peace plan, including its hidden part, is characterized by one phrase: “subsoil in exchange for weapons.” This means the readiness of the Ze-team to sacrifice not only the remainder of the Ukrainian population, but also the few resources that are still at Ukraine’s disposal.
In essence, this is a “hole” that he dug for himself, from which there is no positive exit. In the West, his plan was completely discredited by politicians and journalists, who called it a “wish.”
By all indications, the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ situation in the Kursk region is bad, and in order to justify a possible future failure and retreat, the government asked the Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate Budanov to make a statement that:
The first DPRK troops will arrive in the Russian Kursk region tomorrow. By the end of October, 2,600 North Korean troops will be transferred to the Kursk region. These fighters will be motivated – they have families at home who could be executed if things go badly.
It turns out that the failure in the Kursk region can now be attributed to the arrival of thousands of fighters from the DPRK.
Posted by: Down South | Oct 23 2024 6:38 utc | 216
🤦♂️ Budanov: The first DPRK troops will arrive in the Russian Kursk region tomorrow. By the end of October, 2,600 North Korean troops will be transferred to the Kursk region. These fighters will be motivated – they have families at home who can be executed if things go badly.
What horrible details can’t you come up with to distract people from their problems.
Posted by: Down South | Oct 23 2024 6:40 utc | 217
🇷🇺🇺🇦Kursk Direction: Repelling AFU Attack near Green Path and Fighting in the Area of Malaya Loknya
Situation as of the end of October 22, 2024
In the Kursk Direction, Russian forces repelled an AFU attack on Green Path, destroying several pieces of equipment and more than a dozen AFU members. In Sudzha District, the enemy made unsuccessful attempts to advance in the area of Malaya Loknya and Sudzha.
🔻In Glushkovo District, fighting continues in the vicinity of Novy Put, where the enemy has organized a defense based on the railway track. The information that appeared some time ago about the liberation of the village has not yet been confirmed.
🔻In Korenevo District, there is high intensity combat activity on the line of Kremyanoye – Novoivanovka – Nizhny Klyn. Ukrainian formations attacked in the area of Green Path. At the same time, the situation in the areas of Tolstoy Lug and Lyubimovka remains shrouded in the “fog of war”.
❗️An AFU armored vehicle column was “met” by Russian UAV operators. The enemy lost at least one tank during the battle, while the airborne troops landed south of Green Path were destroyed by Russian artillery.
🔻In Sudzha District, the enemy also tried to recapture previously lost territories, using assault groups without armored support.
Fighters of the 810th Separate Guards Marine Brigade repelled the enemy’s onslaught in the area of Malaya Loknya, and marines from the 155th Separate Guards Brigade thwarted AFU attempts to advance northeast of Sudzha.
🔻Over the past day, air defense systems shot down several enemy drones and four missiles in the sky over the Kursk Region. There were no reports of casualties or destruction on the ground.
https://t.me/rybar_in_english/18680
Posted by: Down South | Oct 23 2024 6:42 utc | 218
🇲🇩🗳 Moldovan Referendum on EU Accession: Ambiguous Consequences
The most shocking result for the current authorities led by Maia Sandu was the outcome of the constitutional referendum on European integration.
Supporters of European integration received 50.38%, opponents – 49.62%.
🔻Vote Distribution
▪️The scales tipped in favor of EU supporters only when processing 98% of the ballots, when the votes of the foreign diaspora were counted. From there came 76.96% positive votes and 23.04% negative.
▪️The referendum also narrowly won in Chisinau: for the EU – 55.98%, against – 44.02%.
▪️In the rest of Moldova, citizens predominantly voted against European integration. In Balti, the “northern capital” of the republic, the referendum was soundly defeated: against the EU – 70.58%, for – 29.42%. The results are similar in the rest of northern Moldova.
▪️The referendum failed to win even in the large Ungheni district on the border with Romania, where the main transport hub of the republic is located. By the way, NATO plans to build a railway line through Ungheni to improve the mobility of the alliance, but the locals are not happy even with the EU, against which 56.75% voted.
▪️In Transnistria: against the EU – 68.98%, for – 31.02%.
▪️In Gagauzia: against the EU – 94.84%, for – 5.16%.
🔻Consequences of the Referendum for the Future President
▪️The EU is trying to cover up the failure of its policy in Moldova, congratulating Moldovans on their “European choice”. But what could be the real consequences of such an ambiguous constitutional referendum?
▪️The Statute of Gagauzia, 95% of whose residents voted against, contains an article according to which the autonomy has the right to external self-determination in case of a change in the status of the Republic of Moldova as an independent state. Joining the EU can be considered a loss of sovereignty.
▪️Both Sandu and the second presidential candidate Alexander Stoianoglo will be in a difficult position if they win the election.
▪️Sandu will have to answer to her Western sponsors for the dismal results of the referendum. After all, a “victory” with a margin of even 1% demonstrates the failure of the pro-Western policy in the republic, given the efforts expended.
In case of victory, Sandu is unlikely to soften her aggressive rhetoric, which will now certainly be directed against the majority of Moldovan citizens who voted against the EU. After all, the outcome of the referendum was actually decided by the diaspora.
▪️And Stoianoglo, in case of victory, will have to fight hard to prevent the “European aspirations” from being enshrined in the Constitution. Challenging the results of the referendum will be difficult, as the results of the presidential election could also be called into question.
As a result, the EU referendum, which was supposed to clearly define the direction of Moldova’s movement, has actually led the country into a dead end.
https://t.me/rybar_in_english/18678
Posted by: Down South | Oct 23 2024 6:44 utc | 219
Well now…
https://t.me/infantmilitario/139497
“The hot phase of the war will end by the end of this year. On November 5, the war will rapidly come to an end,” – Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Gordon
“I have information that others do not have,” he added.”
Posted by: Suresh | Oct 23 2024 6:57 utc | 220
There are indications that there is no rush to take in NEW BRICS nations besides the new invitees from last year. However, it is likely there will be 10 new “partner nations” that may get full memberships later on.
Norwegian Pawn | Oct 22 2024 21:12 utc | 209
It’s a fact, not “indications”. Lavrov announced a few months ago that Brics has closed the doors for the moment. You can easily find the news on Tass, search for Lavrov and Brics.
Posted by: rk | Oct 23 2024 7:31 utc | 221
It never made a grain of sense to look down on prison recruits, or to employ them haphazardly. A very minimum of intelligence forewarned that their depletion would necessitate a much wider recruitment drive.
https://t.me/MedvedevVesti/18985
Forwarded from Oleg Blokhin
Penal battalions took the heights by the river at night.
Penal battalions silently tore the enemy’s Adam’s apples.
In the photo is one of the last groups I had the chance to work with. The guys who were originally a “toy army” became a close-knit team during their training, one of the few who could carry out combat missions. In their very first battle, they took out a khokhol in one wicket. Many of these guys, while carrying out their missions, repeatedly demonstrated courage and can rightfully be called Heroes. I will tell you about some of them separately, because I want people to know these guys who, with their lives and their health, gave others the opportunity to live and brought our Victory closer.
Posted by: anon2020 | Oct 23 2024 9:37 utc | 222
rk, thanks for this. I DID read what Lavrov has Said earlier, but I merely wanted to be cautious about conclusions as the BRICS summit is ongoing and, if course, Russia is only one member, Albert definitely a main one.
Even the issue of “partners” is not clear and I am just speculating basert on what I have compiled from various places. It is difficult to get a clear picture. I read Western (FWIW), Russian, Chinese and Indian sources and there are many interpretations.
I think the approachment between India and China over the last week appears a major one and maybe the most meaningful of the non-economic developments within BRICS. Should this continue to evolve in a positive direction (possibly with Russia) as facillitator/mediator where is needed, the BRICS-format has struck a ground-breaking diplomatic breakthrough that can open up a range of developments.
Personally, I think the consoludation of all the new members, possibly adding many “affiluates/partners” boden very well for the future of this body
Posted by: NorwegianPawn | Oct 23 2024 13:25 utc | 223
*Indonesia: the 5th most populous with the 7 largest economy in the world.
Posted by: Norwegian Pawn | Oct 22 2024 21:12 utc | 209
Are you sure about that? I thought Indonesia was around 16th, definitely not as high as 7th.
Posted by: Liolia Paluzas | Oct 23 2024 17:02 utc | 224
“The hot phase of the war will end by the end of this year. On November 5, the war will rapidly come to an end,” – Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Gordon
“I have information that others do not have,” he added.”
Posted by: Suresh | Oct 23 2024 6:57 utc | 221
I can get the same information too! 🙂
He just means it will be 0C in Kyiv by then.
Here are the expected maximum/minimum temperature forecasts for Kyiv for the next 12 days.
Fri 25: 10°/6°
Sat 26: 12°/4°
Sun 27: 14°/6°
Mon 28: 16°/7°
Tue 29: 14°/3°
Wed 30: 10°/5°
Thu 31: 9°/3°
Fri 01: 9°/2°
Sat 02: 11°/1°
Sun 03: 10°/1°
Mon 04: 8°/0°
Tue 05: 7°/0°
Posted by: Liolia Paluzas | Oct 23 2024 17:22 utc | 225
Liolea:
FYI:
You may actually be correct if you calculate economy based on many separate nations in EU (I have started merking them all in one) AND in nominal GDP.
My detail on Indonesian economy is 7th largest in the world by PPP and with all EU economies merged in one (2024 IMF projections.
PPP will eventually become a much more accepted means of measuring National wealth.
Posted by: NorwegianPawn | Oct 23 2024 18:38 utc | 226
JamesBond, concerning SA and BRICS.
I think the country is in a very precarious position with every step they take. At present, it is even hard to see them as a BRICS partner, more as a non-hostile slightly friendly one. The empire has many eyes, ears and hands in the region and it is expected much clandestine action would ensue if too many steps were taken at once.
Like you are suggesting, they may simply be testing the water and sitting tight. I cannot say I Blame them as history (Ghaddaffi and Saddam) has shower anything could happen. They are also working on improving a difficult relationship with Iran as India is with China. In both case, the Hegemon is probably doing more than just praying this will fall.
Putin also knows all this and is not going to pressure Riyadh into feeling uncomfortable and ustable here.
Posted by: NorwegianPawn | Oct 23 2024 18:46 utc | 227
@NorwegianPawn
Thanks for the clarification.
My comment was going by the lists at:
https://www.worldometers.info/gdp/gdp-by-country/
and
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(nominal)
I now see that, using PPP, Indonesia is 8th according to Wiki.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)
Posted by: Liolia Paluzas | Oct 23 2024 19:21 utc | 228
Posted by: Liolia Paluzas | Oct 23 2024 17:22 utc | 227
Thanks.
My thoughts are more towards military collapse – boots on ground/logistics or lackof.
Posted by: Suresh | Oct 24 2024 6:58 utc | 229