Moon of Alabama Brecht quote
November 20, 2024

Biden To Send Antipersonnel Mines To Ukraine

U.S. president Joe Biden was found to be too senile to stand for re-election. But that does not hinder the powers that be to let him launch world war III.

After 'allowing' Ukraine to fire U.S. controlled ballistic missiles onto targets in Russia the Biden administration is adding largely prohibited antipersonnel mines into the mix.

Biden approves antipersonnel mines for Ukraine, undoing his own policy - Washington Post

Over 160 countries, including Ukraine, have signed treaties which prohibit the use of antipersonnel mines. During his campaign Biden had spoken against the use of such weapons.

Despite that he has now authorized the provision of antipersonnel land mines to Ukraine. The claimed reason for that is born out of propaganda:

“Russia is attacking Ukrainian lines in the east with waves of troops, regardless of the casualties that they’re suffering,” one of the officials said. “So the Ukrainians are obviously taking losses, and more towns and cities are at risk of falling. These mines were made specifically to combat exactly this.”

There are no and have been no 'waves of troops' with which the Russian army is attacking Ukrainian positions. I challenge everyone to find me a video that shows such a 'wave'.

There are instead small groups of troops which infiltrate Ukrainian positions after these have been ravaged by artillery fire. The WaPo piece admits as much:

Ukrainian troops have struggled to build strong defensive lines in the face of relentless drone sorties and small assault teams.

Antipersonnel mines, even deactivated ones, continue to be a danger for the population even decades after a war ends. It is criminal to use these in a war that has already run its course:

[H]uman rights campaigners said that the U.S. decision to provide antipersonnel land mines to Ukraine — a signatory to the Mine Ban Treaty — is a black mark against Washington.

“It’s a shocking and devastating development,” said Mary Wareham, deputy director of the crisis, conflict and arms division at Human Rights Watch, the advocacy group, who said that even nonpersistent mines hold risks for civilians, require complicated cleanup efforts and are not always reliably deactivated.

The most significant effect of Biden'S decision will be the proliferation of a type of weapon that was rightfully on its it way to total banishment:

The Ukraine conflict has spurred other countries to reevaluate their opposition to antipersonnel land mines. The Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia considered withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention earlier this year in order to bolster their defenses against Russian aggression, although they ultimately decided to reinforce stocks of antitank mines and other tools that are less hazardous to civilians.

Posted by b on November 20, 2024 at 9:47 UTC | Permalink

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Can anyone believe a single word coming out of the Zionist controlled MSM?

Posted by: Merkin Scot | Nov 20 2024 9:53 utc | 1

the Zionist controlled MSM?

Posted by: Merkin Scot | Nov 20 2024 9:53 utc | 1

---

If you like the Zionist controlled MSM you're going to love the Zionist controlled US Treasury.

Trump has selected Apollo CEO Marc Rowan to lead the US Treasury.

Posted by: too scents | Nov 20 2024 10:07 utc | 2

The MSM is going away in the US..........their ratings bear this out.
Even the low IQ seven time vaxxed democrat cat ladies and male cucks are starting to question the lies.
The 6 mega-corps who used to control the narrative are sucking up to trump now........its truly pathetic.

Posted by: zappalives | Nov 20 2024 10:12 utc | 3

Such antipersonnel mines have been in use since 2022 against civilians in Donbass. They were remote launched mines which caused a lot of injuries.

Posted by: unimperator | Nov 20 2024 10:12 utc | 4

That's the real face of the modern West. This isn't a military/warfighting move, this is a spiteful scream of desperation as it is being dragged into the abyss, an attempt to (almost literally) scatter poison in its wake so as to hurt those who're handing its ass to it after their victory. This is quite deliberately meant to fill the lands Banderites occupy with mines so that they'd be if not unlivable, then at least hazardous for civilians to live and work in, a form of "scorched earth" and "if I can't have you, no-one can" in one. An "either you're with us or you're the enemy" redux, applied against the civilians living on the lands that constituted the Ukraine, so as to try and not let them simply live with Russia in the future without having extensive and painstaking demining efforts to even make their fields and forests safe from random explosions in the coming decades.

Russia can perform those efforts - entirely unreported in the West, Russian demining teams have, for decades likewise, been at work in South Asia in the wake of America's colonial adventures there, clearing out the untold numbers of mines US troops left installed out of the same spite as we're seeing now. They can do the work, and they will do it a lot more directly on land they call their own.

But there will be casualties, among the civilians who the West is punishing for not dying in its name like the spiteful tyrant it is, and among the people who will risk their lives to neuter that evil act. And they'll all be on the Western peoples' score sheet in the Russians' eyes. The past few years have shown, if not taught to the West, that it is folly to go "who cares what Russians will think about us, what are they gonna do about it?" - you don't wanna find out.
It's moves like this that will make sure Russians will regard Western nations as an enemy as viscerally hostile and demonic towards them as the Banderites, Polish nationalists or German Nazis, and this is going to matter a lot in the future to be defined BY Russians in no small part.

The second saddest side to this is that the general Western populations are totally oblivious to this and either blindly cheer the anti-Russian vile hate on as if it were harmless (or blindly agreeing with it as if it were a black-and-white good-versus-evil heroic crusade), or blindly ignore it and never spare a thought about what their administrations are signing them up for and doing in their name. But the score sheets will be presented to them, not their dying leaders, and when they will be, they'll cry out "it's unfair, Russians are being aggressive, they're accusing us of what we didn't want, we're blameless", all over again. Yet Russians will not be so easily forgiving as they were, thanks to extreme government effort and total information control, to Germans in 1945.

So do the evil forces that currently control the West sow hostility, grudges, pain and death into the future which they feel is slipping from their grasp, trying to pit their captive populations against Russians and other "disobedient" nations in perpetuity.

Posted by: Red Outsider | Nov 20 2024 10:18 utc | 5

You do that when you know you're going to lose that ground for good and just want to fuck civilians from the other side for the next decades.

Posted by: Clueless Joe | Nov 20 2024 10:29 utc | 6

This one from Simplicius is good. Let's hope he is right (and I believe he is):

"Putin is aware that an outgoing senile despot who doesn’t care if the world burns behind him may seek to start WWIII, and that Zelensky may see his final two months’ chance to provoke Russia into overreacting. As such, it’s best for Russia to do nothing, and continue grinding the offensives which are destroying Ukrainian lines everywhere."

https://substack.com/home/post/p-151889991

Posted by: Avtonom | Nov 20 2024 10:40 utc | 7

The depravity and viciousness of this old man and his fellow neocon sadists defies belief but then recall the normalcy of this war crime in the aftermath of the unending US failed wars of the past Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos etc. The deliberate policy of seeding a vengeful trail of anti personnel munitions left behind to contaminate and destroy the land and lives of peasant farmers in countries who resisted US Imperialism. This is a trademark of US policy and defines their innate capacity for retrospective evil aimed at future generations whom they wish the worst of to injure kill and disable for years hence in perpetuity this pitiless practice continues seeding the open steppes of Novorussiya with their legacy the filth and detritus of death on working people whom they hate!

Posted by: Rick | Nov 20 2024 10:56 utc | 8

There is little to no profit in winning America's wars (Panama, Grenada). There is plenty of profit from dragged out forever wars and occupations (Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, Ukraine).

I'm sure Biden's team was thinking of the potential profits of decades of mine cleanup and disposal after the war.

Posted by: Saag | Nov 20 2024 10:57 utc | 9

A Top Shelf newly released Open Access Book
by Prof. Ivan Katchanovski
Ivan deserves to win a noble prize for this work. and his towering efforts speaking truth to power through dedicated academic rigour and professionalism.
on Twitter/X https://nitter.poast.org/I_Katchanovski/with_replies

Acclaimed expert @I_Katchanovski Political scientist, University of Ottawa, a Ukrainian and Canadian political scientist specializing in politics and conflicts in Ukraine. I was born in Ukraine and got my Ph.D. at George Mason University in the US. I teach at the School of Political Studies at the University of Ottawa. Previously, I held various academic positions at Harvard University, State University of New York at Potsdam, the University of Toronto, and the Kluge Center at the Library of Congress. My academic publications include 5 books, 2 forthcoming books, 20 articles in peer-reviewed journals, and 12 book chapters. My interviews, comments, and publications appeared in over 3,000 media reports in over 80 countries.

This book is open access, which means that you have free and unlimited access
Shows how the Maidan massacre ultimately contributed to the start of the war in Donbas
Provides detailed analysis of government investigations into the massacre and its perpetrators
Explores the role of oligarchs and the far right in Ukrainian politics

VIEW or DOWNLOAD the Book here
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-67121-0

The Maidan Massacre in Ukraine
The Mass Killing that Changed the World
Book Open Access © 2024

This open access book provides a comprehensive analysis of the Maidan massacre in Ukraine. It uses a theoretical framework of rational choice, moral hazard, state- repression backfire, and Weberian ideas about rational action to explore the massacre.

The book draws on publicly available videos, photos and audio recordings of the massacre in English, Ukrainian, Russian, Polish and other languages, along with several hundred individual testimonies and revelations from the Ukrainian investigation and a trial and its verdict. By examining which parties were responsible for the massacre, the book analyses its implications for not only Russia’s war on Ukraine but also political developments across the globe.

Posted by: Ivan | Nov 20 2024 11:03 utc | 10

The anti-personnel mines are Biden's tribute to mark the 1000th day of the SMO.

Posted by: too scents | Nov 20 2024 11:06 utc | 11

Whatever the provocation, President Trump cam put an end to it by one call to z which he is not making. Things are not what it seems

Posted by: Michael J | Nov 20 2024 11:14 utc | 12

The suggestion that " it’s best for Russia to do nothing, and continue grinding the offensives which are destroying Ukrainian lines everywhere" is a sure prescription for the West to continue to escalate the conflict. 6 ATACMS don't get a response, how about a volley of Storm Shadows, Taurus, and JASSM missiles at the Kursk nuclear power plant to create another Chernobyl for Russia?

Scott Ritter and Colonel Wilkerson say a better idea is to finally take out Zelensky and the rest of his miserable compatriots. Maybe that will get the message across to the neocons and neolibs that the war has been lost.

Posted by: Perimetr | Nov 20 2024 11:16 utc | 13

Biden will have passed on to the next life when it happens. Woe unto them in the NATO leadership class who survive into the era following Stunde Null 2.0. It wasn’t just Keitel, Jodl, and the SS scum who were hanged after the war, Julius Streicher, the newspaper man, was hanged as well. MSM knows it and is terrified. Good.

Posted by: OldFart | Nov 20 2024 11:19 utc | 14

The Biden Admin is leaving a bloody and odious legacy.

On a more positive note, this admin has revealed that it the US is no longer the 'indispensable' nation, that it has fully supported genocide, and that it is unquestionably now in decline in both military and economic power.

Time for Liam Clancy -

[...] For no more I'll go Waltzing Matilda,
All around the green bush far and near
For to hump tent and pegs
A man needs both legs
No more Waltzing Matilda for me.

They collected the wounded
The crippled, the maimed,
And they shipped us back home to Australia.
The armless, the legless
The blind, the insane.
Those proud wounded heroes of Suvla
And when the ship pulled into Circular Quay
I looked at the place where me legs used to be.
And thanked Christ there was no one there waiting for me
To grieve and to mourn and to pity.

And the band played Waltzing Matilda,
As they carried us down the gangway.
But nobody cheered,
They just stood there and stared,
Then they turned all their faces away

Liam Clancy - Band Played Waltzing Matilda

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFCekeoSTwg

Posted by: Don Firineach | Nov 20 2024 11:21 utc | 15


Whoever is behind Team Biden (sic) tho that should prolly be (sick) is plainly desperate to do anything possible to provoke the Russian Federation into over-reacting.

I'm sure that the Russian Government will do everything they can to resist that temptation, however it's not just up to them.

No I don't believe the increasingly common trolls demanding Russia do more, being planted so obviously across the 'net in the West, it will have zero effect upon most of us let alone the Russia leadership, but as well inured to euUSuk tosh Russians have become I'm also aware that current western propaganda generators will be attempting every new trick, including a few zero day scams to crank up the average Russian citizen.
This one destined not to work but is one of the 'introductory trolls' and there will be an ascending list of euUSuk provocations to come.

The Russian government is gonna work hard to keep all their citizens supportive and content, cept it may take more than that, so it's gonna be vital that the 'Putin isn't doing enough' brigade cop a short shrift from every compass point.

That type of damning with too faint praise then following that up with a generally weak hysterical sledges, scattered about the net shouldn't be tolerated anywhere, much less at MoA, yet we all know that as that scum are forced to confront the mile wide faults in their reasoning the worse it will become, it needs to be ignored no matter how obviously incorrect the tosh getting pumped out is.

Posted by: Debsisdead | Nov 20 2024 11:31 utc | 16

If the perfide west was on the other side and Russia was doing to them what the Biden team now appears to do, I think I can guess what the west might do in revenge.
They would respond in kind!

Posted by: petergrfstrm | Nov 20 2024 11:35 utc | 17

Crush Ukraine.

Posted by: g wiltek | Nov 20 2024 11:38 utc | 18

re: Debsisdead | Nov 20 2024 11:31 utc | 16

Do you consider Ritter and Wilkerson to be trolls?

Posted by: Perimetr | Nov 20 2024 11:38 utc | 19

@Ivan #10

Thanks for that.

I've followed Katchanovski for a while - Open Access is a great response to the Journals which rejected his work ... Sachs is also a fan.

Posted by: Don Firineach | Nov 20 2024 11:43 utc | 20

The decision is largely symbolic but even so plays straight into the Russians’ hands. As ever.

In our Western enclave it’s a decision that serves PR purposes. Plus the usual spite to queer Trump’s pitch. Also means we can kill more Russians at virtually no cost to ourselves, a stated aim, according to US politicians, as soon as it became apparent that the original aim, the break-up of the RF, was not going to be achieved. If we can’t beat ’em we’ll degrade their military capacity. The Ukrainians can do the donkey work because we’re incapable of it.

A far cry from the heroism of Iwo Jima and Omaha Beach but that’s what we’ve come down to.

Outside the Western enclave this now gives the Russians a free hand. The Chinese, the Indians, the Brazilians even, now see past doubt that Russia has no option but to remove the threat posed by our use of our Ukrainian proxies. So the Russians, with no fear of adverse reaction from the major powers, can now neutralise these proxies as best they see fit. Plays straight into the Russians’ hands.

Biden should stick to his proxy atrocities in the ME. It’s what he’s good at and maybe less risk of blowback.

Posted by: English Outsider | Nov 20 2024 11:46 utc | 21

@ Ivan | Nov 20 2024 11:03 utc | 10

Is this the book that Routledge refused to publish?

Posted by: malenkov | Nov 20 2024 11:50 utc | 22

One might argue this 2-month interregnum gives the looney west a “free chance” to do something horrible, pretend to blame it on Genocide Joe, and quickly bringing Trump on stage to claim to want to deescalate.

One might also argue it gives Russia a “free chance” to act, retaliate, or escalate and blame it on Genocide Joe, pending Trump’s appearance on stage to deescalate.

@ zappalives | Nov 20 2024 10:12 utc | 3

That brick wall at the back of the stage — it’s unmistakable now.

Posted by: I forgot | Nov 20 2024 11:52 utc | 23

The Rules Based Order has always been a Hypocrisy Based Order. The recent 'oh my gosh' announcements - deep strikes and antipersonnel mines - seem like deja vue. Ukraine/NATO has used deep strikes before, if only drone-based. They've used antipersonnel mines before, firing camo petal mines into Donbass towns. My first thought on hearing about Biden's latest senile tour de farce was that the US just didn't have anything else to send that would tickle the MSM's click meters. Russia cannot have been taken by surprise. The US is fighting WWII, no imagination, no deviation from the prime goal of enriching the war profiteers. The entire Western approach is like whipped cream on a turd.

Posted by: Jorge | Nov 20 2024 12:04 utc | 24

Hasn’t the Rasputita started finally? Most mines would get sucked deep into the mud at a guess?

Beyond supposedly stopping the waves of North Koreans with their ninja style martial arts I suppose it’s real aim is to stop the waves of Ukrops retreating from the mincer cauldrons they are thrown into, to the last of them.

Fascists/Nazis always.
They intend to keep hold of land they stole from the natives and that means no pesky Ukrops claiming ‘foul’ and demanding the illegally transferred lands after the war they are not supposed to survive!

The forever Ziofascists who have bankrolled and directed all Anglo European imperilism and the many proxy armies such as French, Dutch , English ..Napoleon, Rhodes… Hitler & Shelenski.

That’s the ‘who?’- that is ordering the missiles attacks and mines.

The Bankers and the MIC they control.
It’s the MIC who make the wunderwaffen that obviously know how to operate them.

The makers of illegal mines, those who deploy them are who should be targeted - no one would care because they are faceless anonymous and hide in their castles and estates & super-yachts!

Will No One Rid Us Of Those Troublesome … Priests of Death?

Posted by: DunGroanin | Nov 20 2024 12:11 utc | 25

This is symbolic and is just Biden leaving land mines for Trump. Reminds me of Obama telling the security state to conceal things from Trump in 2016. If Trump has "learned his lesson"*, then he will just deal with the situation once he has control.

The reason this is symbolic is the mines are already widely used, by both sides and have been for the entire conflict. Only difference is us supplying them. But they are not hard to buy regardless, not a shortage item.


*I doubt it. He's a lazy, overconfident blowhard.

Posted by: Anonymous | Nov 20 2024 12:22 utc | 26

The western people love genocides because it is in the bible. So that mass killing is viewed as quite positive.

1 jew = 10 western people = 100 Russians = 1000 Arabs = 10000 Russian speaking Ukrainians.

We can see with that scales who are the sociopaths.

Posted by: Love of genocide | Nov 20 2024 12:36 utc | 27

This vaccinated cat lady is well to the left of the Dems, hates this war, and has despised Biden for decades. He views Ukraine as his personal litter box.


She also despises the modern GOP. So to quote Gilbert & Sullivan, “ a nice dilemma we have here, that calls for all our wit” although the dilemma’s not so nice in reality.

Posted by: Sick and tired | Nov 20 2024 12:47 utc | 28

Russia is also a non-signatory of the Ottawa Treaty. Land mines were used extensively on the line of contact in Donbas. Putin’s adherence to his maximalist war objectives ensure that the war grinds on and on.

Posted by: Zargo | Nov 20 2024 12:57 utc | 29

@malenkov | Nov 20 2024 11:50 utc | 22

He had an article accepted for publication after the review process - and then the publisher was 'got at' and pulled it before publication ... not sure if it was Routledge - Sachs was annoyed as he termed it a superb article [I read his working paper early on - think the GrayZone also linked to it]

He did get a modified version published in another journal - don't have link at mo - but can find it later on

So, Open Access book gives him more freedom to publicise his research on the Maidan coup and other little bits and bobs

Posted by: Don Firineach | Nov 20 2024 13:01 utc | 30

@ Perimetr | Nov 20 2024 11:16 utc | 13

Further, it’s important to send a message to aspiring comedians that audition for the role of “servant of the people” in future coups adjacent to Russia.

Sic semper pianists.

Posted by: I forgot | Nov 20 2024 13:03 utc | 31

Dose anyone know where these antipersonal mines are manufactured and stored ? In the US or elsewhere.

Satnav co-ordence ?

Posted by: Mark2 | Nov 20 2024 13:06 utc | 32

*I doubt it. He's a lazy, overconfident blowhard.

Posted by: Anonymous | Nov 20 2024 12:22 utc | 26

Even lazy, overconfident blowhards ate moved by a bullet-grazed ear.

Remains to be seen exactly what lesson he took away.

Posted by: Mary | Nov 20 2024 13:08 utc | 33

Posted by: DunGroanin | Nov 20 2024 12:11 utc | 25

The rasputitsa is late this year. Remains to be seen if it will arrive at all.

Here in Maine, our traditional fall mud season has been replaced by 4 months of drought. We *may* see the rains finally get going this week & next. So far, all promised rains have been blown away. Time will tell. Hopefully soon...I can't afford a new well & don't relish the thought of crapping outside in the freezing cold!

Posted by: Mary | Nov 20 2024 13:13 utc | 34

this is Murika. International law does not apply. Z-man, whose term expired in March and who cancelled elections is clearly a dictator but he is wined, dined and bankrolled endlessly. Dina Boluarte, the dictatoress in Peru installed by the CIA (which they actually brag about) is hunky dory and best pals with the Murikan clown suit girl-general who supports her with Murikan troops and talks about Murikan football. Maduro was elected by the Venezuelans, but he is a "dictator" with a bounty on his head because he will not kiss the Murikan ass. (May the gods and goddesses bless and protect him.). Murikan troops are stealing Syrian oil to send to Izzyhell in support of genocide. The Gaza's who haven't been bombed to death are being starved to death to resounding cheers from Butcher Blinken Genocide Joe and all the Trumpstein Tribe. George Carlin was right. Time to give another species a chance. This bunch sucks.

Posted by: Formerly Miss Lacy | Nov 20 2024 13:19 utc | 35

Now France and England are following suit to escalate completely.

November 20, 2024 2:04 p.m.

According to the newspaper, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and members of his government will not make any official statements about the Storm Shadow for "operational reasons" in order not to give Russia a "strategic advantage on the battlefield."

LONDON, November 20./ The government of US President Joe Biden has approved the use of British long-range Storm Shadow missiles for attacks deep into Russian territory. This is reported by The Times newspaper, citing sources in Downing Street.

According to the newspaper, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and members of his government will not make any official statements about the Storm Shadow for "operational reasons" in order not to give Russia a "strategic advantage on the battlefield." It is pointed out that London has been trying for months to get permission from Washington to launch attacks with Storm Shadows deep into the Russian hinterland. According to the newspaper, these are British missiles, but their successful use is impossible without American guidance systems.

At the same time, Starmer's aides told the Times that authorizing Storm Shadow strikes deep inside Russian territory would not change the course of the conflict in Ukraine. Former British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, for his part, believed that using these missiles against Russia would send a "strong signal," saying that Germany's transfer of Taurus cruise missiles to Kyiv would be an even more significant step.

On November 17, the New York Times cited its sources as saying that US President Joe Biden had given permission to launch ATACMS missiles from Ukrainian territory deep into the Russian Federation. According to the Times, the decision was made in Washington three days before the leak to the media.

On Tuesday, the Russian Defense Ministry said that on the night of November 19, Ukraine fired ATACMS missiles into the territory of the Bryansk region, five of which were shot down by Pantsir and S-400 systems and another was damaged. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a press conference following his participation in the G20 summit that the Ukrainian attacks on the Bryansk region with ATACMS missiles were a signal that the West wanted an escalation.

Posted by: ossi | Nov 20 2024 13:24 utc | 36

I have thought since the early stages of this mess that the Russians should declare an exclusion zone in the airspace of the Black Sea extending as far as necessary from the Russian and Ukrainian coasts. US or UK reconnaissance flights used to provide real time targeting data to Ukraine would be warned off initially during a short grace period of a week or so and thereafter shot down without warning. It wouldn't take more than 1, 2 at the most, splashed planes before those flights ended. The US would have no realistic options. After all, what could we do other than suck it up? The Soviets shot down dozens of US spy planes during the Cold War and we did nothing. Things are not so very different now.

Posted by: A. Pols | Nov 20 2024 13:25 utc | 37

J. Assange reminded us that these wars 'are not designed to be won'. Rather to drag out and make money for the war machine.

Posted by: horatio | Nov 20 2024 13:25 utc | 38

To be clear antipersonnel mine are a terrorist weapon by essence, targeted at civilian especially children.

Officially using them is just the sign that US regime is by far the biggest terrorist organisation in the world, way ahead of any religious extremism one can imagine.

being that morally bankrupt to allow this while still lecturing anyone on whatever human right is beyond my understanding.

Posted by: W | Nov 20 2024 13:36 utc | 39

Scott Ritter and Colonel Wilkerson say a better idea is to finally take out Zelensky and the rest of his miserable compatriots. Maybe that will get the message across to the neocons and neolibs that the war has been lost.

Posted by: Perimetr | Nov 20 2024 11:16 utc | 13

Did you ever think that Biden and his team might even be trying to get Putin to take out Sylenski, as a response?
Well, his bodyguards might do that, but with an Iskander or Zyon it's much more effective than PR...

Posted by: ossi | Nov 20 2024 13:37 utc | 40

Message :
⚠️URGENT⚠️
Russia's strategic aviation takes off✈️20.11 16:20

🔵According to reports, about eight Tu-95MS missile carriers are already in the air and are preparing to fire a salvo!

The channels were green with panic. As the West waits for a reaction.

🔵Cruise missiles are expected to be fired at enemy positions.

Posted by: ossi | Nov 20 2024 13:41 utc | 41

Deep strikes into Russia, antipersonnel mines - the third news item, which we didn't discuss so far, are "Mini Taurus" drones built by the Munich based company Helsing. Germany agreed to deliver 4,000 of them to Ukraine, starting now, at a rate of several hundred per month.

https://kyivindependent.com/mini-taurus-bild/

"Comparable to the American SwitchBlade and the Russian Lancet, the Helsing product is cheaper, can fly longer and uses terrain matching AI for its entire cruise and terminal guidance" says the article. So this is close to an autonomous aircraft, a Kamikaze drone not requiring a human pilot when hitting its target, or when navigating towards it. It can carry warheads powerful enough to destroy Russian tanks. I don't know how cheap it is, but it may well be used to terrorize even individual soldiers - just imagine a bunch of autonomous drones lying in ambush for you as you're crossing terrain on foot.

This is a development that was predictable, the question was not if, but when. I'm afraid these 4,000 drones might become more of a game changer than the antipersonnel mines or the strikes deep into Russian territory.

Posted by: grunzt | Nov 20 2024 13:42 utc | 42

The Soviets shot down dozens of US spy planes during the Cold War and we did nothing. Things are not so very different now.

Posted by: A. Pols | Nov 20 2024 13:25 utc | 37


______

a rather uninformed Apples/Oranges statement

The Soviets/Russians shot down US spy planes over Soviet/Russian airspace.

The vast majority of the Black Sea is not Russian Airspace.

Posted by: AKSukhoi | Nov 20 2024 13:44 utc | 43

Biden should end his wretched and worthless life in prison

Posted by: Andrew Sarchus | Nov 20 2024 13:45 utc | 44

grunzt 42

If "mini-Taurus is similar to switchblade, then why has switchblade not been a gamechanger?

The game is over and is not going to change in the bigger picture.

Posted by: Andrew Sarchus | Nov 20 2024 13:51 utc | 45

Hopefully the warmongering a-holes that stole the elections in the U.S won't manage to blow up the world before Trump takes office.

Posted by: Fortuna | Nov 20 2024 13:55 utc | 46

"There are and have been no 'waves of troops'...."

It doesn't matter. US policy makers are delusional. Every bit as delusional as the scribes they dictate the news to.

Posted by: oldhippie | Nov 20 2024 13:57 utc | 47

More de-mining work for years to come for those giant African rats and the real (not American) human beings.

https://youtu.be/hxY3aEsesss?si=zrm0whd6gt7eHimi

Along with all the other teams of giant African demining rats and their human colleagues,
clearing up after US genocide campaigns in Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Nicaragua, Angola, Afghanistan, Syria etc...

Posted by: Andrew Sarchus | Nov 20 2024 14:01 utc | 48

Now France and England are following suit to escalate completely.

November 20, 2024 2:04 p.m.

According to the newspaper, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and members of his government will not make any official statements about the Storm Shadow for "operational reasons" in order not to give Russia a "strategic advantage on the battlefield."

Posted by: ossi | Nov 20 2024 13:24 utc | 36

______

https://t.me/belarusian_silovik/44782 reports:

"They flew again, judging by the sound, Storm Shadow in the direction of Kursk region. There is no understanding yet about the purpose of the attack."

Also

https://t.me/belarusian_silovik/44780

"Another 7 Tu-95MS strategic bombers took off from the Olenya airbase, but it seems they are also changing their deployment."

They took off an hour after an air alarm ended in Kiev and elsewhere, no reports of missile launches yet.

Posted by: 5thcolumn | Nov 20 2024 14:02 utc | 49


There is no doubt that the hegemon is working hard to kneecap and neuter the incoming adminstration. Biden is totalky irrelevant, but is still being used as a marionette.

As others have mentioned here; the longer Trump incoming admin lingers on and does nothing with this; the more worrisome it is. Irrespective of the fact that the cabinwt seems being loaded up with ChinaHawks; the more they ignore Ukraine, the more they may end up entangled within it in a very ugly way.

Kremlin needs to be extremely patient and guarded. It seems like the West is idlung fir any excuse to drag us all into a greater conflict.

Very scary. I am increasingly concerned....

Posted by: NorwegianPawn | Nov 20 2024 14:03 utc | 50

"There are and have been no 'waves of troops'...."

It doesn't matter. US policy makers are delusional. Every bit as delusional as the scribes they dictate the news to.

Posted by: oldhippie | Nov 20 2024 13:57 utc | 47


Correct
Whoever controls the media controls the opinion of the mob, for example Germany, surveys show that over 65% still condemn Putin as the attacker...almost 70% believe that Russia will attack in the next 5 to 7 years. And that's how it will be in the rest of the EU states too.
Good conditions for a war, we had similar conditions among the people in 1939...
And if things are getting worse for the Germans, well, for about 3 years now there has been a universal culprit...Putin, ergo Russia, and that leaves its mark on people's minds...it's not the politicians' incompetence that is to blame, NO PUTIN

Posted by: ossi | Nov 20 2024 14:05 utc | 51

A few thoughts - IMO:

1). There will not be any movement, set-up, storage or launches of Scalps/Shadows/ATTACMs that Russia ISR and ground intelligence will/does not know about in advance.

2). The sign off of Nuclear Doctrine probably actually happened in quiet awhile ago. But released as media splash only, as deterrent.

3). Russia/Putin is the most legalistic administration in its history it seems. The talk of massive “decapitation” strikes, massive obliteration of Kiev in the way total destruction will either come hours before or an hour after a “Declaration of War” by the Kremlin.

I’m guessing what Putin was really signing, was a Declaration of War, the delay is the change over from the SMO, all its requirements, to meet requirements of the new declaration.
Whom the stated declaration or all parties or open ended declaration of war is anyone’s guess.

The Russian Federation isn’t the West that will just run in with thermostatic bombs, and decapitations strikes, and strikes against NATO assets in the region with no regard to International Law, their own citizens, their own constitutional interests.

Even though all military plans are approved & ready to go, the Duma approved various military defence and objectives. A final legal order of a Declaration of War will swiftly follow or be momentarily stated in advance before engaging in some shock and awe way.

In the meantime, I continue to see the SMO as strategic kinetic strikes, measured & lethal, continual line contact and advancement & Russia striking more and more into Kiev logistics tech hubs as well as swifter Zaporozhye advancements.

When I hear/see “Declaration of War” pronouncements of some sort, other than a spokesperson/media of RF stating US declared war ect, I’m believing the SMO will simply continue as is.

Posted by: Trubind1 | Nov 20 2024 14:05 utc | 52

This is a development that was predictable, the question was not if, but when. I'm afraid these 4,000 drones might become more of a game changer than the antipersonnel mines or the strikes deep into Russian territory.

Posted by: grunzt | Nov 20 2024 13:42 utc | 42

They're tarted up FPV drones with relatively short range and four small propellers attached to the single tail. Given the enormous amounts of materiel already burned by the Russians, this is just more of the same. They also are going to need to find operators. None of these weapons will change the course of the conflict - it just assures more people will die and enmity for Nazi America and her vassals will only grow. He who sows the wind will reap the whirlwind. I'm reminded of another quote I've oft posted here before

'whom the gods would destroy they first make mad'.

Or something about a shitshow.

Posted by: Doctor Eleven | Nov 20 2024 14:06 utc | 53

"Land mines were used extensively on the line of contact in Donbas."
Posted by: Zargo | Nov 20 2024 12:57 utc | 29

You imply that there is no difference between time-limited anti-tank mines on the line of contact and non-expiring camouflaged anti-personnel mines dropped on town squares and markets with no military value across Donetsk.


Posted by: Jorge | Nov 20 2024 14:07 utc | 54

Up to a dozen storm shadows at 3pm local time. Damage to apartment buildings; no other assessment yet.

https://southfront.press/storm-shadow-missiles-attacked-russian-kursk-region/

Posted by: Mary | Nov 20 2024 14:08 utc | 55

“Whatever the provocation, President Trump can put an end to it by one call to z which he is not making.”

He can make that call on January 21st, if he wants.

Posted by: Fred777 | Nov 20 2024 14:10 utc | 56

Don't take it personelly

Posted by: Gerry Bell | Nov 20 2024 14:11 utc | 57

@ grunzt | Nov 20 2024 13:42 utc | 42

Thanks to bots, the West might wage war …

“To the last Ukrainian — and beyond!”
- Buzzsaw Lightyear

Posted by: I forgot | Nov 20 2024 14:14 utc | 58

This thread contains lots of attribution of motive. Also the better analysis those in charge are just plain stupid.

So now they have thrown a dozen Storm Shadows at apartment buildings in Kursk. Civilian terror as per usual. The total inventory of Shadow and Scalp and Taurus and Tomahawk and JASSM is not all that much. It is being wasted. Just throwing shit at the wall. Like an autistic child.

The appropriate remedy is not a nuclear war. It is straight jackets and padded cells.

Posted by: oldhippie | Nov 20 2024 14:22 utc | 59

Storm shadow strike in kursk video

https://x.com/mylordbebo/status/1859240463108030716/mediaviewer

Posted by: Mary | Nov 20 2024 14:23 utc | 60

Can anyone believe a single word coming out of the Zionist controlled MSM?

I for one welcome our Zionist overlords. What are the options when it comes to World Domination? Russian Oligarchs? Arab Sheiks? THe Chinese Communist Party?

Our Zionist masters take care of us and make sure we are healthy and well fed.

Posted by: Noam A. Larkey | Nov 20 2024 14:28 utc | 61

Storm shadow strike in kursk video

Posted by: Mary | Nov 20 2024 14:23 utc | 60

Perhaps when the Russians finally understand that the people bombing civilians in the Gaza strip are the same people hitting apartment blocks in Kursk with lethal missiles they'll stop handling the Zionist colony on the med with kid gloves.

Posted by: Arch Bungle | Nov 20 2024 14:28 utc | 62

2 Telecom cables in Baltic Sea broken?

https://x.com/WarMonitor3/status/1859221682931552618

Posted by: Mary | Nov 20 2024 14:28 utc | 63

The Zionism mask worn by the American Deep State belongs to its City of London cousins. The London cousins are the cleverest of all, twice removed from the Zionism mask they trick their American cousins into wearing.

Posted by: ? | Nov 20 2024 14:29 utc | 64

@ Posted by: Don Firineach | Nov 20 2024 11:21 utc | 15

Australia’s lack of dance for returning wounded could do with several updates. As a kid in the mid-60s witnessed the discreet airliner arrivals at a major air base near Sydney late at night. The line of ambulances stretched way off into the distance (half a mile?) The wounded were quietly transferred, shuttled off to rehabs. The big ticker-tape parade through the city streets was only for the able-bodied. As always....

Posted by: Gerry Bell | Nov 20 2024 14:30 utc | 65

No one should be surprised by US. First Macaron used banned mines, which never expire and explode when a magnetic field detector comes close, then tens of thousands of Petal mines were spread all over Donbass and inside cities. Demining will take 10+ years if they start now. Chemical weapons were constantly used. Did anyone really think that was the end of it?

a better idea is to finally take out Zelensky and the rest of his miserable compatriots.
Posted by: Perimetr | Nov 20 2024 11:16 utc | 13

Zeli does not live in Ukr and when he comes he probably hides in the US basement. Also all youtube talking heads said Russia is not allowed to assassinate anyone, why you contradict the prophets? Also also, from the moment the plane or ship or missile moves, it appears on all Ukro Twitter and everywhere else. Any target has time to take the bus home, take a shower then the train to Poland, long before something hits Kiev. In Russia they're always surprised by everything, then a committee is created to investigate

Posted by: rk | Nov 20 2024 14:33 utc | 66

Perhaps when the Russians finally understand that the people bombing civilians in the Gaza strip are the same people hitting apartment blocks in Kursk with lethal missiles they'll stop handling the Zionist colony on the med with kid gloves.

Posted by: Arch Bungle | Nov 20 2024 14:28 utc | 62

I hope so but, & someone pls correct me if I'm wrong, my understanding is Russia's constitution requires protection of Russian citizens wherever they are. And Israel has many Russian citizens with dual citizenship. That is why are limited in how they can respond.

They really need to disallow dual citizenship! Force them to make a choice...

Posted by: Mary | Nov 20 2024 14:34 utc | 67

Landmines... the gift that keeps on giving. Children are still dying today in Southeast Asia from The Vietnam War.

Posted by: First Time Poster | Nov 20 2024 14:46 utc | 68

I doubt it. He's a lazy, overconfident blowhard.

Posted by: Anonymous | Nov 20 2024 12:22 utc | 26

########

Dislike Trump the man? Ok.

That said, someone his age doesn't campaign that hard for months on end if they are lazy.

People confuse their personal animus with analysis for the purpose of forecasting. It's pretty, juvenile, and unproductive.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Nov 20 2024 15:02 utc | 69

Russian citizens wherever they are. And Israel has many Russian citizens with dual citizenship. That is why are limited in how they can respond.

Well any Russian with dual citizenship in that Zionist horror show deserve all they get, Russia owes them nothing

Posted by: Englishman | Nov 20 2024 15:03 utc | 70

Thanks for this. Wasn't aware of this latest transfer of these awful antipersonnel weapons. Not much info about DU munitions use in either the Ukrainian or Palestine battlefields. Please post anything you find.

Posted by: John Gilberts | Nov 20 2024 15:11 utc | 71

Perimetr | Nov 20 2024 11:16 utc

I have to agree: I don't think they'll stop until they're stopped.

Posted by: spudski | Nov 20 2024 15:27 utc | 72

"[H]uman rights campaigners said that the U.S. decision to provide antipersonnel land mines to Ukraine — a signatory to the Mine Ban Treaty — is a black mark against Washington.

“It’s a shocking and devastating development,” said Mary Wareham, deputy director of the crisis, conflict and arms division at Human Rights Watch, the advocacy group, who said that even nonpersistent mines hold risks for civilians, require complicated cleanup efforts and are not always reliably deactivated."

InHuman Rights Watch is being disingenuous.

Actually, this development is not shocking at all for anybody who doesn't pretend to be ignorant of the history of American wars and use of (ahem) controversial weapons.

The United States of America is the country that has deployed napalm, Agent Orange, Depleted Uranium weapons, White Phosphorus, Bioweapons (during the Korean War), and of course has the honor of being the only nation ever to use nuclear weapons not once but twice (Hiroshima and Nagasaki).

Honestly, it would be shocking if the USA didn't peddle these types of weapons to Ukraine.

USA=War Criminals R US.

Posted by: ak74 | Nov 20 2024 15:28 utc | 73

“Deep strikes into Russia, antipersonnel mines - the third news item, which we didn't discuss so far, are "Mini Taurus" drones built by the Munich based company Helsing. Germany agreed to deliver 4,000 of them to Ukraine, starting now, at a rate of several hundred per month.”

Munich was always another head of the beast… sort of like London. A viper hiding place. If ever happened for Russians to take over - that would be the place.


Posted by: Innuendo | Nov 20 2024 15:33 utc | 74

@Perimetr | Nov 20 2024 11:16 utc | 13

a better idea is to finally take out Zelensky and the rest of his miserable compatriots.
I think a better idea is to extend the security zone to be larger than the range of the ATACMS, like Lavrov has said before. I believe that means everything east of Dnepr and possibly more. So the US Kiev embassy probably figures it is time to move.

Posted by: Norwegian | Nov 20 2024 15:36 utc | 75

Ok, so Biden isn't deciding anything. That much is clear.

It's clear Blinken is one of the decision makers behind the 60d push for nuclear winter. I know Soros filthy son is behind it from his ecstatic tweets. Both are Zionist nuts.

Which other individuals are making Bidens decisions for him? This is critical information. Whoever is making these decisions is an enemy of all humanity and must be held accountable.

Anyone got more details on the actual shot callers?

Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Nov 20 2024 15:40 utc | 76

— ❗️ BREAKING: In the past two hours, UK-made 'Storm Shadow' air-launched cruise missiles were fired by Ukraine at targets in Russia's Kursk region

This comes after Ukraine launched at least six US-made ATACMS missiles at targets in Russia's Bryansk region yesterday, marking yet another significant escalation in the Russia-NATO standoff.

Several embassies, from both Western and Eastern nations, have now evacuated their buildings in Kiev and called upon their citizens to evacuate.

https://t.me/Middle_East_Spectator/12545

Starmer really begs for it.

Posted by: Norwegian | Nov 20 2024 15:56 utc | 77

Posted by: ossi | Nov 20 2024 13:37 utc | 40

Let US/UK do that when Zelensky's shelf life finally runs out. Low life vs. lower life, much more intriguing.

No need to waste Kinzhal.

Posted by: KitaySupporter | Nov 20 2024 15:56 utc | 78

It's not all bad news, i have hered ther is a large amount of sabotarge taking place in Polands military phcilaties.
Polands not cut and dried regards loylties.
Throughout history as well as now.

Posted by: Mark2 | Nov 20 2024 15:58 utc | 79

Trump has selected Apollo CEO Marc Rowan to lead the US Treasury.

Posted by: too scents | Nov 20 2024 10:07 utc | 2

Just googled him. We are so fucked.🤮

Posted by: Mary | Nov 20 2024 15:59 utc | 80

Well any Russian with dual citizenship in that Zionist horror show deserve all they get, Russia owes them nothing

Posted by: Englishman | Nov 20 2024 15:03 utc | 71

Which is why they need to change their constitution. Russia owes their people the rule of law.

Change their laws & Putin can freely flatten Tel Aviv.

Posted by: Mary | Nov 20 2024 16:03 utc | 81

Team Biden Neocons went to the arms locker and amidst the cobwebs found only anti-personnel mines. There's nothing left capable of projecting an image of strength. The Pentagon supposedly has over $9Billion remaining in the fund to arm Ukronazis but has nothing else it can deliver.

The intensity of the missiling being delivered to the Ukies makes NATO's attempts to counter extremely weak.

Oh, a new wrinkle in the negotiations when they arrive is the linking of Russia's December 2021 Security Proposals to the overall solution of Ukraine's future. The linkage isn't "maximalist" as the trolls are spinning but Realist as Lavrov spelled out in his Rio Presser--the roots of the conflict will be uprooted, and West Asia will get a similar treatment.

Posted by: karlof1 | Nov 20 2024 16:05 utc | 82

by Anti-Spiegel
November 20, 2024 4:18 p.m.
Several foreign embassies in Kyiv have warned of expected heavy air strikes on the Ukrainian capital and have suspended their work. The US Embassy, ​​for example, writes:

“The US Embassy in Kyiv has received specific information about a possible heavy air strike on November 20. As a precaution, the embassy is being closed and embassy staff are being instructed to seek shelter. The US Embassy recommends that US citizens be prepared to seek shelter immediately if an air raid alert is declared.”

Such explicit warnings are very rare. The last such warnings that I remember were in February 2022, when Western embassies already knew that Russia would intervene militarily and closed their embassies and consulates days before the escalation.

Other countries have also taken precautionary measures. The Russian news agency TASS reports on further warnings from foreign embassies. The Azerbaijani embassy in Kyiv informed its citizens in Ukraine that the consulates would be closed on November 21 and 22 due to "increased risks." The embassies of Greece, Spain and Italy in Kyiv also announced that they would not provide services on that day due to possible risks. The Kazakh embassy recommended that its citizens leave the areas near hostilities or, better yet, leave Ukraine altogether. The Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry called on its citizens in Ukraine to "increase personal security measures" or leave the country.

The EU, on the other hand, has announced that its representation in Kyiv is operating normally and that no special security measures have been taken.

Posted by: ossi | Nov 20 2024 16:06 utc | 83

Unconfirmed video of Ukr encirclement in Kursk. If it moves, is shot.

https://x.com/squatsons/status/1859252413531570277

Posted by: Mary | Nov 20 2024 16:10 utc | 84

For friday I would suggest mustard gas

Sunday special could be VX...

Posted by: Newbie | Nov 20 2024 16:12 utc | 85

@Norwegian | Nov 20 2024 15:56 utc | 78

�Kursk region. November 20, 2024

A message from the guys from our air defense.

❗️Several Storm Shadow missiles, which everyone wrote about earlier, were shot down.

A few hours ago, our air defense system repelled a massive attack in the Kursk region. Several Storm Shadow missiles were shot down. Rocket debris is being collected now.

https://t.me/ZandVchannel/134640

Posted by: Norwegian | Nov 20 2024 16:12 utc | 86

To # 10

I started to read 1.1 of the "book in question" about the Maidan an so far I wasn't impressed - his interpretation of Russia starting a covert action in Crimea in Feb. of 2014 is BS. How does one do a Covert action when the entire Black Sea is and always has been in Crimea. The men in Simferopol asked Sevastopol for weapons to be used against the Bandera Boyz trying to take over the Simferopol train station and the Russians refused - it was a while later that the Sevastopol Marines actually were given the go to help Simferopol. Hence , the little Green men. I'm sorry, maybe if I read the entire book the Author might have changed directions on this but since I have been hangin out , workin/livin in Ukraine for a long time { started working their in 08 } I am skeptical of the Western influence $$$ on authors . Спасибо Ivan

Posted by: GMC | Nov 20 2024 16:13 utc | 87

@ossi | Nov 20 2024 16:06 utc | 84

“The US Embassy in Kyiv has received specific information about a possible heavy air strike on November 20. As a precaution, the embassy is being closed and embassy staff are being instructed to seek shelter. The US Embassy recommends that US citizens be prepared to seek shelter immediately if an air raid alert is declared.”
They probably remember how the United States bombed the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade in Serbia.

Posted by: Norwegian | Nov 20 2024 16:15 utc | 88

thanks b... didn't know about this and think @ Anonymous | Nov 20 2024 12:22 utc | 26 is probably right.. they are already in use..

@ Red Outsider | Nov 20 2024 10:18 utc | 5

my sentiments exactly.. thanks for stating all that..

@ A. Pols | Nov 20 2024 13:25 utc | 37

great suggestion... i hope they follow your advice..

@ Ahenobarbus | Nov 20 2024 15:40 utc | 77

i agree with you.. not sure who is behind this, but biden is incapable at this point.. cia?

Posted by: james | Nov 20 2024 16:16 utc | 89

70th tranch!

Ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition;
60mm and 81mm mortar rounds;
Unmanned Aerial Systems;
Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) missiles;
Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems;
Small arms and ammunition;
Demolitions equipment and munitions;
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear protective equipment; and
Spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training, and transportation.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3972421/biden-administration-announces-additional-security-assistance-for-ukraine/

Posted by: too scents | Nov 20 2024 16:19 utc | 90

I am 100% sure that Russia will not attack foreign embassies, nor the city of Kiev (civilians) unless it is energy infrastructure or military infrastructure. Only certain politicians in the Middle East do such things, as well as Yankees and their water carriers, who have no fear of consequences for their actions. I think Russia will finally turn off the lights in Ukraine, perhaps certain actors will be equipped with equipment that could really hurt Western military forces, Yemen or Syria and more. But massive attacks on Kiev, civilian casualties, that would destroy Russian credibility. The Russian president is characterized by thoughtful actions, why should that change now.

Posted by: ossi | Nov 20 2024 16:25 utc | 91

@ossi | Nov 20 2024 16:25 utc | 94

I agree with you assessment.

Posted by: Norwegian | Nov 20 2024 16:29 utc | 92

The Russo-Ukrainian War is the most well-documented conflict between two states in terms of the amount of raw combat footage thanks to the proliferation of personal body cameras and drone footage.

There is not a single photo or video frame of a Russian 'meat wave' attack anywhere on the line of contact. Brandon's dual decision to let Ukraine strike internationally-recognized Russian soil with ATACMs missiles, and to use anti-personnel mines is motivated out of sheer spite - which has been Biden's SOP pretty much throughout his professional career and whole life.

Posted by: Monos | Nov 20 2024 16:29 utc | 93

@ ossi and norwegian - thanks for your posts..

Posted by: james | Nov 20 2024 16:42 utc | 94

Red Outsider1018

Well presented overview of Ukraine's use of anti-personnel mines and their lingering threat to future civilian populations. Thanks for that, as its an excellent summary.

Posted by: aristodemos | Nov 20 2024 16:43 utc | 95

declassifieduk.org

why UK aid is still and progressively supporting Ukraine

(good luck with that one if you think anything can be salvaged from a broken economy)

extract
Foreign Office spokesperson told Declassified: “The UK is committed to supporting Ukraine to not only win the war but to win the peace, by emerging as a strong, prosperous, and free nation.

“The Good Governance Fund’s work in Ukraine has strengthened Ukraine’s economic resilience and future growth, and its performance has been commended by the Independent Commission on Aid Impact who scrutinise aid spending.

“We will continue to support a Ukraine-led effort to emerge from the war with a modernised economy resilient to Russian threats.”

Advancing privatisation
One key strand of the Good Governance Fund project is direct support to privatisation in Ukraine.

This involves a seven-year sub-programme called SOERA (State-owned enterprises reform activity in Ukraine), which is funded by USAID with the UK Foreign Office as a junior partner.

SOERA works to “advance privatization of selected SOEs [state-owned enterprises], and develop a strategic management model for SOEs remaining in state ownership.”

UK documents note the programme has already “prepared the groundwork” for privatisation, a key plank of which is to change Ukraine’s legislation.

“SOERA worked hand-in-hand with GoU and proposed 25 pieces of legislation of which 13 were adopted and implemented”, the most recent documents note.

SOERA has also worked with the deputy economy minister to begin mapping “thousands of SOEs, which will be a launchpad for further state property transfer”.

The aid project has run alongside the Ukraine Recovery Conference process, in which the British government hosted an international summit in June 2023.

This sought to “help Ukraine to unlock the investment and expertise it needs to rebuild as a resilient democracy with a green and modernised economy and the ability to deter and withstand future Russian aggression”.

Posted by: Jo | Nov 20 2024 16:48 utc | 96

Avtonom@1040

After gagging on a couple of doomer screeches on the net this morning; it has been refreshing to check out Simplicus steady-state and level-headed assessment of the showboat antics of Zelensky and his amen chorus. Thanks for the link.

Posted by: aristodemos | Nov 20 2024 16:58 utc | 97

@ Jo | Nov 20 2024 16:48 utc | 99

here is the reality, which is completely different - a post today from yalensis who runs awful avalanche -

Why Are Refugees Returning to Mariupol?

Posted by: james | Nov 20 2024 16:58 utc | 98

@ Jo | Nov 20 2024 16:48 utc | 99

here is the reality which is completely different.. a post today from yalensis at awful avalanche -

Why Are Refugees Returning to Mariupol?

Posted by: james | Nov 20 2024 17:00 utc | 99

The good news in this, if there's any to be found is, it's clear that Team-Biden/Harris are war criminals that needed to be removed by the American people and...the American People did the right thing by removing them.

Yes, the Urban elites are contesting the will of the people, as they always do, saying that they are superior beings, nearly infallible and know what's best; but, the majority of the US and...the world know this to be horse$#!t

Posted by: S Brennan | Nov 20 2024 17:01 utc | 100

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