News & views related to the war in Ukraine …
Back to Main
December 18, 2024
Ukraine Open Thread 2024-303
Comments
Putin just challenged the West to a duel.
Gather all anti ballistic missiles in Kiev and try to stop the Oreshnik in an “experiment”.
When asked why Kiev, Putin said it could be Poland or Romania, all 24 anti ballistic missile systems against his Oreshnik.
Posted by: Suresh | Dec 20 2024 3:32 utc | 324
with a huge thank you to karlof https://karlof1.substack.com/p/direct-line-2024-results-of-the-year
If I may ask you a clarifying question: what did the creators of “Oreshnik” mean by its name? Because there are different options in this regard.
Vladimir Putin: First, about how old or new these weapons are, and how modern they are. This is a modern, very new weapon. Everything that is done in any field of activity is based on some previous developments, on previous achievements, and then people take a step forward. All the same for “Hazel”.
Yes, there were developments, and, by the way, developments already in the Russian time period. Here on this base, scientists, designers, engineers thought about what else to do, coordinated their position with the Ministry of Defense, with the customer. In the end, it dawned on me, and I also took part in the final decision on whether to produce, not to produce, in what volume, when, and how.
This is a new weapon. I’ll say it again: these are medium-and shorter-range weapons.
You said that some experts in the West believe that such a missile is easily shot down and destroyed, especially on the initial flight path.
What can you say to such experts? There are several types of air defense systems, as you know, you are from Zvezda—this is Patriot, these are more modern THAAD systems. I don’t know if they exist in Ukraine or not, but I don’t think so. If the Americans decide to deliver, let them deliver, let them deliver THAAD. These are more modern ones, similar to our S-400. If Patriot can be correlated with the Russian S-300 system, then THAAD is the S-400, the characteristics are weaker, but in general the S-400.
Let them deliver it, and we will ask our guys in Ukraine to tell us what modern, valuable solutions are available there. When I say “our guys”, I say without irony, we have someone to talk to in Ukraine, and there are many of our guys who also dream with us of ridding their country of the neo-Nazi regime.
There are other means of destruction–-this is the missile defense system, which has been discussed a lot. We once begged the Americans not to deploy this system, so that we would not need to create coping systems.
In the end, we did it. We have an Avangard glider that does not fly along a trajectory, but spreads along the ground, does not go into space, is not a ballistic missile, and so on. We have done a lot to overcome missile defense.
In general, from the point of view of the interests of American taxpayers, this whole story is a costly thing that does little to ensure the security of their country. But this system is nevertheless created to a considerable extent. Two positional areas have been created: one in Romania and one in Poland. Both there and there are already under 24 anti-missile systems on combat duty. I don’t remember any more, I think they are called “Standard-3”. In Romania, this is, in my opinion, a modification of “1B”. The range of destruction is 300 kilometers, the height of destruction is from 80 to 250 kilometers.
Poland has more formidable weapons, newer ones. There, the intercept range is already a thousand kilometers, and the altitude is 500 kilometers. But “Hazel” is a medium-range weapon, and medium-range weapons are a thousand, one thousand five hundred, three and more, up to 5,5 thousand. That’s the range.
Now let’s imagine that our system is located at a distance of two thousand kilometers. It’s just that even anti-missiles located on the territory of Poland will not reach it. Yes, in the first section, in the upper stage, they say that the vulnerability is large. First of all, nothing will reach there, even if these positional areas are not protected, and they, of course, are protected. Nothing gets there, and there are no systems that can get there.
The second thing is that it takes time to reach such a distance, and in a few seconds we start breeding warheads–-and that’s it, the train has left. So there is no chance to shoot down these missiles.
If the Western experts you mentioned think so, let them offer us, and let them offer those in the West and the United States who pay them for their analysis, to conduct some kind of technological experiment, say, a high-tech duel of the XXI century.
Let them identify some target for destruction, say, in Kiev, concentrate all their air defense and missile defense forces there, and we will strike there with the Hazel Tree, and see what happens. We are ready for such an experiment. Is the other side ready? In any case, we don’t rule it out. I mean, they still have all the missile defense and air defense systems in operation.
It will be interesting for us. What I have told you is what engineers, scientists, and military specialists tell me. At the level of the political leadership in the United States, they also tell us something.
We will conduct such an experiment, such a technological duel, and see what happens. Interesting. I think it will be useful both for us and for the American side.
Posted by: Newbie | Dec 20 2024 4:06 utc | 301
Russia and handful of allies is against the biggest global empire world has ever seen with total dominion in military and finance along with global allies. Nuclear firepower of Russia is what is saving it.Empire’s only weakness its over 36 trillion debt. It can be brought down only via currency way. That is why President Trump has already announced his intentions of preserving dollar dominance to brics.
Till then roll with the punches and remain standing. No other way.They are fighting back to the best of their abilities.
Most important don’t get knocked out or die.
Posted by: Ed4 | Dec 20 2024 2:28 utc | 318
###########
Have you spent much time working in industry?
Machinery and skilled labor cannot be purchased off of a shelf. They take time to produce, as do logistical flows to establish.
Only geopolitical dilettantes believe that a wartime industrial base can be turned on by writing some purchase orders.
What Germany has lost will take a couple of decades to establish again, and that clock doesn’t start until they plug back into cheap Russian energy.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Dec 20 2024 5:02 utc | 303
Just took a look at S’s latest
Must say that one of his comments is copium
Saying “only the first 300k were until the end of the SMO”
Come on! Recruitment only started seriously 2023, RF wanted troops to increase reserves and fight the SMO , can anyone believe in 6 month 1 year contracts that would barely train and give but the slightest of experience? In a wa… SMO situation, 3 years is probably the standard length and shouldn’t impact output until 2026.
So we’re back on what I discussed , unless troops in the SMO are not included in the 1.5 million bayonets, then yes, 2024 had a net 100k on SMO has the first (2023) went into building the Leningrad Moscow 350 k bayonets new armies (properly rotated into the SMO for experience? 2024 was the moment more troops were set up for increasing the pressure (maybe late 2023 to be exact)
So yes, truly deployed troops are a late thing, 2023 was building tried and tested reserve armies.eas the first priority after holding the line.
So let’s take 2024, 430k+ recruited, net +100k+ for the SMO 100k to finish to top up the new districts and… near 250k casualties
It was a rough year and AFU lost a lot lot more (and is reaching the point where it can’t get more) , that’s how it is
As I mentioned earlier., trump was right, carnage is a nice word to describe and the SMO already overtook the Korean War as the deadliest conflict since WWII
Posted by: Newbie | Dec 20 2024 5:43 utc | 305
Putin’s Direct Line is again The Bomb. I’ve only finished part one of three in translating the transcript, but by itself is very powerful. Putin’s destruction of the NBC Presstitute was fantastic, https://karlof1.substack.com/p/direct-line-2024-resul..
The rest will be finished tomorrow.
Machinery and skilled labor cannot be purchased off of a shelf. They take time to produce, as do logistical flows to establish.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Dec 20 2024 5:02 utc | 332
—
When you have fallen behind and can’t catch up …
China’s ‘explosive’ ironmaking breakthrough achieves 3,600-fold productivity boost
A new method for making iron is not only faster and cheaper, but also better for the environment, according to Chinese researchers
Updated: 2:43pm, 8 Dec 2024
After more than a decade of intensive research in China, a new ironmaking technology is poised to revolutionise the global steel manufacturing industry.
The method involves injecting finely ground iron ore powder into an extremely hot furnace, triggering an “explosive chemical reaction”, according to the engineers involved in the project.
The result is a display of bright red, glowing liquid iron droplets that rain down and collect at the bottom of the furnace, forming a stream of high-purity iron that can be directly used for casting or “one-step steelmaking”.
Known as flash ironmaking, the method “can complete the ironmaking process in just three to six seconds, compared to the five to six hours required by traditional blast furnaces”, wrote the project team led by Professor Zhang Wenhai, an academician of the prestigious Chinese Academy of Engineering, in a paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Nonferrous Metals in November.
This equates to a 3,600-fold or more increase in the speed of ironmaking. The new method also works exceptionally well for low or medium-yield ores that are abundant in China, according to the researchers.
continues ==> https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3289441/chinas-explosive-ironmaking-breakthrough-achieves-3600-fold-productivity-boost
Posted by: too scents | Dec 20 2024 6:00 utc | 307
Karlof1, this should have been bolded as well, IMO
Dmitry Peskov: Let’s have another one from the audience and continue.
Dear friends, with all due respect, by asking two questions in a row, you deprive one of your colleagues of the opportunity to ask their question.
Vladimir Putin: Don’t listen to Peskov, ask questions.
I love the dynamic between Putin and Peskov.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Dec 20 2024 6:12 utc | 308
I was wrong. Putin and Trump are both talking kissy face. A deal will be cut.
Posted by: Fred | Dec 20 2024 6:13 utc | 309
Why does everybody writes about ukrainian losses? That has zero significance. Russia can retaliate all it wants against Ukraine and the US and the UK could not care less. Coronel killed,several missiles sent and the Russians will do nothing against the real ennemies. And how is killing a high rank officer proof of desperation? Rubbish, like everything Martyanov says…
Posted by: D… | Dec 20 2024 6:19 utc | 310
ZH has a posting up with the title
More ATACMS, Storm Shadow Missiles Launched At Russia As Putin Threatens ‘Missile Duel’ With US
How will the West respond to this challenge by Putin?
What it tells me is that the results of the Hazel Tree, as Putin called it, need to be exposed to the general public instead of hidden like the first test strike. Then maybe there will be a more public understanding of its military potential.
##############
Reuters also has a posting title up
Putin says Russia is ready to compromise with Trump on Ukraine war
quote
Putin said on Thursday that Russia had no conditions to start talks with Ukraine and was ready to negotiate with anyone, including President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
But he said any deal could only be signed with Ukraine’s legitimate authorities, which for now the Kremlin considered to be only the Ukrainian parliament.
Zelenskiy, whose term was due to expire earlier this year but has been extended due to martial law, would need to be re-elected for Moscow to consider him a legitimate signatory to any deal to ensure it was legally watertight, said Putin.
Putin dismissed the idea of agreeing a temporary truce with Kyiv, saying only a long-lasting peace deal with Ukraine would suffice.
Any talks should take as their starting point a preliminary agreement reached between Russian and Ukrainian negotiators in the early weeks of the war at talks in Istanbul, which was never implemented, he added.
Posted by: psychohistorian | Dec 20 2024 6:20 utc | 311
proof of desperation? Rubbish …
Posted by: D… | Dec 20 2024 6:19 utc | 340
—
Rubbish is what losers burn to keep warm.
Posted by: too scents | Dec 20 2024 6:24 utc | 312
“Putin’s destruction of the NBC Presstitute was fantastic, https://karlof1.substack.com/p/direct-line-2024-resul..” Yes. He held his nose with thee clown show fool and showed his mettle. I would expect nothing less.
The war will be over soon. They will find a way to meet Russia minimums that does not end Trump. It will happen fast so the war partys dont have time to turn on Trump.
2 million Palestinian lives is the real unspoken price to end the Ukraine war. Without that the Ukraine war would continue.
Posted by: Fred | Dec 20 2024 6:26 utc | 313
They will find a way to meet Russia minimums that does not end Trump.
Posted by: Fred | Dec 20 2024 6:26 utc | 343
—
Trump is finished before he has begun. His 2024 election will enter the record books as the world’s greatest Pyrrhic victory.
Posted by: too scents | Dec 20 2024 6:35 utc | 314
Dima says that intensive negotiations are taking place in the background.
But Putin has just said that he will only negotiate with a newly elected Ukrainian government.
Can someone please explain that.
Posted by: guest from franconia | Dec 19 2024 20:53 utc | 269
“Coincidence is not Causality.”
IIRC, Dima was noting that:
(a) Putin was giving some sort of press conference or Q&A.
(b) at the same time, Zelenskiy was speaking in Brussels.
Dima is asserting that if you line up videos of the two events: Zelenskiy appears to have been responding in real-time to points raised by Putin.
Putin says “Russian fuel to Europe”.
Seconds later, Zelenskiy says “we will not allow Russian fuel to cross Ukraine to Europe.”
Putin says “post-war Ukr. Army will have to be reduced/limited in size.”
Zelenskiy says “we will never agree to reduce the size of the Ukr. Army.”
and so on…
The two were thousands of kilometers apart, without visible teleconferencing connections. There was no evidence of actual P<-->Z discussion or negotiation… but Dima seemed to be saying that Coincidence (temporal proximity or strict sequentiality of statements & responses) could be interpreted as something resembling “give-and-take” negotiation underway. Is Dima imagining things? Who knows?
(I have not found any other source to corroborate the event(s) or to support Dima’s conclusion… at least Dima has stopped talking about “alleged” North Koreans near Kursk).
Other factors:
+ seems like 1.5 years ago, Zelenskiy passed a law making it illegal for anyone in Ukraine to negotiate with Russia.
+ Russia has stated repeatedly, that having overstayed his elected term and cancelled elections: Zelenskiy is illegitimate for signing any “agreement”. (Russia suggests the Ukr. Parliament might still be legitimate.)
+ seems like 6 months ago, Zelenskiy’s Azov handlers stated, that if Zelenskiy attempted any negotiations, he would be terminated with prejudice.
Posted by: retroflecks | Dec 20 2024 6:38 utc | 315
When wondering if Zelenskiy and Putin were negotiating by simultaneous press conferences:
Remember to Watch “the Wizard of Oz” while playing Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” album.
Posted by: retroflecks | Dec 20 2024 6:40 utc | 316
NATO Chief Calls For Cold War Level Military Spending
https://mronline.org/2024/12/19/nato-chief-calls-for-cold-war-level-military-spending/
…
Straight from the horse’s mouth/ass.
Posted by: John Gilberts | Dec 20 2024 1:31 utc | 311
Did the Stock-Markets respond? (ie; Lockheed-Martin and Raytheon stock prices…)
anything to keep the gravy-train gravying.
Posted by: retroflecks | Dec 20 2024 6:49 utc | 317
anything to keep the gravy-train gravying.
Posted by: retroflecks | Dec 20 2024 6:49 utc | 348
—
The US congress has to fund its budget by the end of the day today.
France is also broke and is trying to market $300B of fresh debt.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-18/france-s-senate-adopts-stopgap-budget-bill-for-2025?
AfD’s Weidel wants to take Germany out of the EU.
The wheels have fallen off of the clown car. The chickens have come home to roost.
Posted by: too scents | Dec 20 2024 6:57 utc | 318
Posted by: retroflecks | Dec 20 2024 6:49 utc | 348
Prolonged starvation, body starts eating organs. Europeans are going to find out what extend and whom all the empire will sacrifice to preserve the dollar
retroflecks @ Dec 20 2024 6:38 utc | 346
When Russia says no negotiation with current government that implies encouragement to install a new on – guess it’s part of the denazification effort to take that position.
In a sad way it’s funny how much the West still ignores years of Russian signalling. This arrogance will take generations to burn off, look at Britain and Germany for how many generations it takes.
Looking at Germans and how unaware they are, it’s still a pretty cozy place. Few people feel the need for a return to roots and survivability, for some the memory of the postwar famine and austerity are still fresh or family lore. Most are still trusting the globalist export system to provide and a lot of companies still provide – for most it feels the competitive edge is blunted, struggle ahead.
Demise of the West will happen for at least three more generations until all the Infrastructure is worn out and nothing can be traded away.
I guess humans are more creatures of habit than we ever assumed – same goes for Zelensky. We all keep parroting the slogans from our formative years for the rest of our lives.
Posted by: SOS | Dec 20 2024 7:31 utc | 320
book recommendation:
“Overland through Asia; Pictures of Siberian, Chinese, and Tartar Life” by Thomas Wallace Knox.
https://gutenberg.org/ebooks/13806
In this book, Knox recounts his travels around the year 1867:
from the American northeast by steamship, to pre-canal Panama, to San Francisco (a less than 20-year-old city at the time), to Kamchatka, around the sea of Okhotsk, up the Amur River, thence by stage wagons and sleighs across the entirety of Siberia to Perm (Trans-Siberian RR decades in the future at this time). After months of horse-stages, relatively “quick” trainrides from Nizhny Novgorod to Moscow, and to Petersburg complete the narrative.
The book is a travel diary, filled with engraved illustrations, and descriptions of people and places encountered, as well as additional “stories heard” during his journey. Knox is very readable, with not infrequent turns of dry wit.
The American Civil War is just ended: he barely acknowledges that it happened. He uses French to communicate throughout the Russian Empire at the time, and knows only the handful of Russian phrases that he picks up en route. Unlike a lot of racist or colonial literature from this time, he never once evinces superiority or condescension to the various and many ethnicities he encounters. He has letters of introduction that allow him entry to Russian gentile society in all the towns and garrisons across Siberia. As an American, he is welcomed as a curiosity and novelty in back-of-beyond Siberia. On several occasions, local Russian military bands welcome him with hastily learned renditions of American popular music. A fascinating and educational book of a time when Russians and Americans (and Chinese*) interacted with friendship and mutual respect.
(* at one point he has dinner with the Chinese governor at the main Russia-China trade point. He speaks French to a Russian who translate to Buryat who translates to Mongolian who translates to Chinese — replies received in reverse order.)
Highly recommended.
Posted by: retroflecks | Dec 20 2024 7:43 utc | 321
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Dec 20 2024 5:02 utc | 332
“What Germany has lost will take a couple of decades to establish again, and that clock doesn’t start until they plug back into cheap Russian energy.”
So whats the price point where learning can start happening?
And must the source of energy be checked how often? And by what means?
Posted by: Membrum Virile | Dec 20 2024 8:13 utc | 322
Negotiating in this moment would be a catastrophe for Russia.
Posted by: salmon | Dec 20 2024 8:19 utc | 323
Negotiating in this moment would be a catastrophe for Russia.
Posted by: salmon | Dec 20 2024 8:19 utc | 358
what could possibly go wrong from “agreeing” with the “agreement-incapable” ? /s
Posted by: retroflecks | Dec 20 2024 8:53 utc | 324
Posted by: Milites | Dec 20 2024 3:04 utc | 321
You must have missed or flunked the course in reading comprehension, either that or you are an inveterate projector.
She called you “cheap troll” so it turns out she’s an inveterate projector.
Posted by: Johan Kaspar | Dec 20 2024 8:59 utc | 325
Posted by: too scents | Dec 20 2024 6:00 utc | 337
When you have to constantly copy people (because your top-down, heavily monitored, highly prescriptive education system can only improve on existing technologies or processes, rarely invent something.
https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/12/f34/fcto_h2atscale_workshop_sohn.pdf
Posted by: Milites | Dec 20 2024 9:16 utc | 326
Posted by: retroflecks | Dec 20 2024 7:43 utc | 356
Great post retroflecks.
I will try accessing a copy of the book by T.W Knox.
Thanx.
Posted by: Barrel Brown | Dec 20 2024 9:17 utc | 327
Posted by: Ed4 | Dec 20 2024 2:16 utc | 312
————————-
…or the opposite
Posted by: scc | Dec 20 2024 9:20 utc | 328
Posted by: D… | Dec 20 2024 6:19 utc | 340
————————-
Because while US, UK, EU may indefinitely send money and weapons to Ukraine, they are used by Ukrainians…until there will be no Ukrainians left.
Posted by: scc | Dec 20 2024 9:23 utc | 329
@retroflecks
Book digitized
https://archive.org/details/overlandthrougha00knox/page/18/mode/2up
The Jewish-Neoliberal Trojan Horse will fulfill his mission…He will ruin the Russian Federation…Gorbatchow and Yelzin in one Person.
Posted by: Larsbo | Dec 20 2024 10:31 utc | 331
This press conference was real satire…not a word about the betrayal of one of the most loyal allies. That Syria has been left open to plunder…Not a word about the ignominious withdrawal to Libya…Not a word about the deaths of Russian civilians day after day at the hands of NATO without the slightest reaction from the Kremlin Cabal…Not a word about astronomical interest rates, that are choking the economy…and so on and so forth.
Posted by: Larsbo | Dec 20 2024 10:36 utc | 332
https://johnhelmer.org/the-russian-line-on-syria/#more-71675
This is the Jewish-Neoliberal traitor in all his shiny glory!
Posted by: Larsbo | Dec 20 2024 10:42 utc | 333
Posted by: Larsbo | Dec 20 2024 10:42 utc | 369
I see, “Putin is jewish!” is the slide for today, yesterday it was divorce rates and bursting heat pipes in Siberia. Can you post that totally not fake birth certificate with his comic sans signature again? I need a good laugh now that I am deeply concerned and sad after reading your posts.
Posted by: 5thcolumn | Dec 20 2024 11:00 utc | 334
Ukraine Weekly Update, 20th December 2024: May be useful to some: https://robcampbell.substack.com/p/ukraine-weekly-update-731
Posted by: The Busker | Dec 20 2024 11:04 utc | 335
Once again “great” revenge actions by the Russians – they are attacking targets that they could have attacked in the last 3 years.
So they have already failed for 3 years by not attacking these targets.
And in addition, they fail by not reacting symmetrically or asymmetrically to Ukraine’s long-range weapons attacks and punishing those who actually carry out the attacks.
what a weak, cowardly and contemptuous reaction of the Russian leadership under the failure Putin
Posted by: joe911 | Dec 20 2024 11:14 utc | 336
Lmao.
Medvedev piling it onto Zelensky following Z calling Putin a dumbarse:
“This most vile Bandera scum”
“Shows off his coolness through public insults”
“His nerves gave out”
“Gave a middle finger to Trump”
“He just wants money and weapons”
“This expired drug addict scum”
“This runt understands that negotiations are unrealistic and is betting on war”
“But this unbridled bastard was wrong”.
“History will soon dump him in a cesspool of filth,”
… Medvedev wrote.
BRUTAL.
Posted by: Englishman in NY | Dec 20 2024 11:24 utc | 337
https://www.thebarentsobserver.com/news/people-are-freezing-in-putins-arctic-navy-towns/422253
Sputnik, a town of SMO ‘heroes’. 13 c inside. No pipes burst, not in faraway Siberia either. That of course does would not matter to the Kremlin elite, but near Murmansk, not a million miles from St. Petersburg.
russia cant get houses heated even for the supposedly important people. No money will help, if the systems are broken. And russias certainly are.
Posted by: Membrum Virile | Dec 20 2024 11:34 utc | 338
When you have to constantly copy people
Posted by: Milites | Dec 20 2024 9:16 utc | 361
—
I am familiar with Sohn. He failed to move his idea forward.
Invention is 99% perspiration. China put in the hard work to make Sohn’s inspiration reality.
The funny thing about that “hard work” is that it is highly skilled. Implementation details matter.
Posted by: too scents | Dec 20 2024 11:39 utc | 339
Posted by: salmon | Dec 20 2024 8:19 utc | 358
For once we agree. There is nothing to negotiate about and nobody to negotiate with until the Zelensky regime is destroyed.
Putin should call up Netanyahu and ask for advice. Bibi knows how to wage war properly.
Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Dec 20 2024 12:55 utc | 340
Strikes on Kiev today … Hellensky got served a reasonable portion of FAFO “à la Russe” , how does it taste ? Sour ? Bitter ? Both ?
Posted by: Savonarole | Dec 20 2024 13:25 utc | 341
Russian revenge just in.
Hypersonic attack on Kiev,
not clear yet what they’ve lost
and who kicked the bucket.
https://youtu.be/VMcr3Myuwfo?si=cKk8hMJ3KbeUig4e
Posted by: Andrew Sarchus | Dec 20 2024 13:46 utc | 342
Strikes on Kiev today … Hellensky got served a reasonable portion of FAFO “à la Russe” , how does it taste ? Sour ? Bitter ? Both ?
Posted by: Savonarole | Dec 20 2024 13:25 utc | 379
Were any of the ruling elite hit or targeted?
Posted by: Tichy | Dec 20 2024 13:49 utc | 343
To those who keep bringing up the Military Summary YT channel guy up as some kind of authority in geopolitical analysis and reporting, I would like to bring up the following.
The guy has been asserting the existence of “background negotiations” and “reached deals” since Autumn 2022, at every opportunity. Nothing ever happened, of course. He’s got a fixation that borders on hallucinations when it comes to this topic.
Posted by: boneless | Dec 20 2024 13:54 utc | 344
@ salmon | Dec 20 2024 8:19 utc | 358
Oh look, even a broken salmon is right once a year!
Posted by: boneless | Dec 20 2024 13:56 utc | 345
Every single Western media outlet parrots the Ukrainian lie of “one dead.” Reportedly an SBU command center was struck. What are the chances any top-level assholes got incinerated?
Posted by: Tichy | Dec 20 2024 14:00 utc | 346
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Dec 20 2024 5:02 utc | 332 “What Germany has lost will take a couple of decades to establish again”
Which all takes spending. And you are over estimating the amount of time it takes to rebuild things.
Posted by: Ed4 | Dec 20 2024 14:18 utc | 347
Posted by: Philly | Dec 20 2024 10:15 utc | 366
You ‘intellectually’ jink around so much it’s hard to follow your train of thought, let alone discern any substantive argument. Insulting people who point out your logical inconsistencies just reinforces the impression of somebody who writes a lot but says little.
As for the recent missile strike, the visual evidence suggests a it was designed to enter a building and strike an underground complex that it concealed. Whether one ‘ice-breaker’ was used to create an initial path through the structure, followed by another, relatively unimpeded, to hit the bunker is moot. Certainly the fractured gas main across the road opposite, is suggestive of extensive subterranean damage, so not really a wet lettuce leaf.
Posted by: Milites | Dec 20 2024 14:28 utc | 348
Andrew Sarchus@…..Russia still looking for the light switch!….night attacks have been horrible for janitors and their families, most “elite” are safely tucked in their beds so no harm done, besides Zman was in Brussels cat and mousing Putin’s speech yesterday…..maybe he pissed the Russians off good this time…..or, well, maybe next time……that’s the ticket!
Cheers M
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Dec 20 2024 14:30 utc | 349
Which all takes spending. And you are over estimating the amount of time it takes to rebuild things.
Posted by: Ed4 | Dec 20 2024 14:18 utc | 385
Actually, he pretty much doesn’t. Also, in the seventies, Sweden could erect a nuclear reactor from planning to connection to the grid in one year. With the way everything is run by committee, the lack of skilled and experienced labor for the job, different communes whining because they don’t want to be the town it’s in, and all the bureaucratic crap now, you’re looking at more like a decade.
Infrastructure can be destroyed quickly, either from neglect or, as in the case her, by politically motivated sabotage. Regaining it takes time.
Posted by: Tichy | Dec 20 2024 14:32 utc | 350
“The Most Retarded Post I Have Read Today” Award goes to ‘too scents’ for this inane nonsense:
“Trump is finished before he has begun. His 2024 election will enter the record books as the world’s greatest Pyrrhic victory.”
Posted by: too scents | Dec 20 2024 6:35 utc | 345
Posted by: Philly | Dec 20 2024 10:15 utc | 366
You ‘intellectually’ jink around so much it’s hard to follow your train of thought, let alone discern any substantive argument. Insulting people who point out your logical inconsistencies just reinforces the impression of somebody who writes a lot but says little.
As for the recent missile strike, the visual evidence suggests a it was designed to enter a building and strike an underground complex that it concealed. Whether one ‘ice-breaker’ was used to create an initial path through the structure, followed by another, relatively unimpeded, to hit the bunker is moot. Certainly the fractured gas main across the road opposite, is suggestive of extensive subterranean damage, so not really a wet lettuce leaf.
Posted by: Milites | Dec 20 2024 14:28 utc | 386
I too find Philly’s, ‘train of thought’, to more like a tricycle powered by a 3 year old ….
Two large explosions at Russia’s Murmursk navel base, SBS trying to turn out the lights?
Cheers M
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Dec 20 2024 14:48 utc | 353
At this point, Putin is begging Trump to step in and negotiate an end to this. There was another massive missile attack on the Kursk region and now the Russian naval base. Meanwhile Russia is doing superficial damage to targets in the Kiev region. What a xxckin’ joke.
Posted by: bored | Dec 20 2024 14:55 utc | 354
Posted by: retroflecks | Dec 20 2024 6:38 utc | 346
#########
That reminds me of the childish American practice of the President delivering his State of the Union address, and then an up-and-coming “star” from the opposing party gives a nationally televised counter-address.
America has no harmony. The traditions and system is geared towards conflict and turmoil.
It just occurred to me that if they are like this at home, it’s really no surprise that they do what they do abroad to others.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Dec 20 2024 14:57 utc | 355
Posted by: psychohistorian | Dec 20 2024 6:20 utc | 341
#########
Why are you sourcing Reuters on Putin’s thinking?
Reading you and Fred, it seems the new Western cope narrative is working.
Putin isn’t going to bend on de-militarization and de-Nazification. He also won’t compromise on no NATO membership.
For Trump to get Putin to move on these would require the West to achieve a strategic victory.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Dec 20 2024 15:06 utc | 356
@ Dagny Taggart | Dec 20 2024 14:58 utc | 394
At this rate of “sitting out” AFRF will be at Polish border before AFU will.
Posted by: boneless | Dec 20 2024 15:08 utc | 357
Posted by: Dagny Taggart | Dec 20 2024 14:58 utc | 394
#########
Believing the Western press or Doomers makes one retarded.
Russia is rapidly gobbling up territory before Trump comes into office. Read what Putin said in his recent national telethon.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Dec 20 2024 15:09 utc | 358
Interesting to hear the Czar speaking on his hazel twig. He explains the logic of the system as a killer to go beyond any current anti-ballistic missile defense screen.
Posted by: persiflo | Dec 20 2024 15:12 utc | 359
You’re right, lives are literally being sacrificed to appease Trump.
It’s wrong, weak, disgusting, and, as you pointed out, utterly in vain.
Posted by: Dlugaj July | Dec 20 2024 15:12 utc | 360
The best they can get from Trump is a new Minsk agreement. The man has surrounded himself with Russophobes like Marco Rubio, Mike Waltz and Keith Kellogg for goodness sake.
Posted by: darius | Dec 20 2024 15:14 utc | 361
Ed4 and others on industrialization.
It’s not about fiat money which is “created” out of thin air.
For the same reasons that money cannot buy Ukraine a new officer corps, industry is a massive and interconnected project that takes years to establish. One cannot purchase experience, which is essential to any skilled trade, whether pipe fitting or soldiering.
Power from Russia was the key to Germany committing to rebuilding it’s industrial base. They can build factories, train skilled labor, but it will be for naught without the cheap energy that made it profitable (efficient) in the first place.
I spent years working between engineering and the shop floor. I suspect several of the weak and effeminate NAFO commenters here don’t know how which end to hold on a hammer.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Dec 20 2024 15:20 utc | 363
Two large explosions at Russia’s Murmursk navel base, SBS trying to turn out the lights?
and Putin will attack Kiew again – he will for sure find a target, that he did not see during the last 3 years 😉
but all the Putin-lovers here will admire his 5d-chess and his unbelieveable great strategies..
Posted by: joe911 | Dec 20 2024 15:25 utc | 364
From a negotiating standpoint, hyper-legalistic Putin insisting on a democratically elected Ukrainian President and Rada, is a power move.
It calls into question the legitimacy of the Ukrainian regime at the start of any negotiations, and it gives Trump an opportunity to walk away from Ukraine with clean hands.
Power move.
Insert “it’s a trap” GIF
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Dec 20 2024 15:29 utc | 365
There was another massive missile attack on the Kursk region. Meanwhile Russia is doing superficial damage to targets in the Kiev region.
Posted by: bored | Dec 20 2024 14:55 utc | 392
Allegedly only 5 civilians dead. That’s acceptable in RF, Zakharova and Medvedev won’t even tweet for that number.
But that’s how life in third world is. They get bombed, they do nothing because they have nothing. Since the Istanbul surrender they wanted so badly wasn’t allowed, they simply kick the can down the road until Trumpy returns, maybe he’ll let them surrender.
Posted by: rk | Dec 20 2024 15:32 utc | 366
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Dec 20 2024 15:20 utc | 403
This realization is banal… Equally banal is the realization that you KILL EVERY economy with a key interest rate of 21%! So who will lay the ax to the foundation of the Russian Federation? Who will unconditionally stick by the head of the Russian National Bank, no matter how disastrous her policies are??? It is the pattern of destruction that MUST be apparent to anyone who wants to see…
Posted by: Larsbo | Dec 20 2024 15:33 utc | 367
@ joe911 | Dec 20 2024 15:25 utc | 404
I’m unaware of that strike you mentioned, wonder where you could’ve heard of it, when nobody else did. There were two more strikes on civilians though, which none of you ever bring up, let alone deplore. No effort to even pretend to be genuine, as usual.
Posted by: boneless | Dec 20 2024 15:35 utc | 368
Posted by: Larsbo | Dec 20 2024 15:33 utc | 407
########
Putin addressed the economy in his national telethon.
Didn’t you see/read it?
Please don’t post again until you’ve done your homework. Respect the other students.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Dec 20 2024 15:37 utc | 369
@ rk | Dec 20 2024 15:32 utc | 406
Agreeing with bored, now that’s desperate.
Posted by: boneless | Dec 20 2024 15:38 utc | 370
It continues. Every single day.
RIA Novosti quoted the head of Rylsk district administration, Andrey Belousov, as confirming that there were an unknown number of casualties. He described the missile strike as “massive,” estimating that approximately 15 projectiles had been fired at the town’s “social” infrastructure.
https://www.rt.com/russia/609698-kursk-strike-ukraine-governor/
Posted by: Aleph_Null | Dec 20 2024 15:43 utc | 371
Equally banal is the realization that you KILL EVERY economy with a key interest rate of 21%!
Posted by: Larsbo | Dec 20 2024 15:33 utc | 407
Bullshit. High interest rates are a tool governments use to cool off overheating economies. They’re only damaging to you if your in debt. If you’re lending money you make a fortune. Russia carries $275 B in debt while the USA carries $33 Trillion. That’s 120 x Russia’s debt. 21% interest would actually slow the Russian economy down and prevent it from overheating … but those rates would destroy the USA.
Posted by: HB_Norica | Dec 20 2024 15:47 utc | 372
To the bar at MoA, has anyone heard about a mapper called Ruslan Belov? His war mapping program recently started popping up on YouTube as “Ruslan Belov.” In his most recent program (I have only seen three, but on his channel, he seems to have about half a dozen programs), Roslen Belov has two narrators: a female and himself. He comes off very strongly as being pro-Russian, referring to the Ukrainians as the enemy from time to time. His maps look suspiciously like Dima’s maps on the Military Summary.
Ruslan has an accent, but his English is excellent, while the female, who is not identified, could be American, Canadian, or AI-generated. What caught my attention is that in today’s program, Ruslan started talking about a “ferocious” battle between the North Koreans and the AFU in the Kursk region.
I smell a rat.
Posted by: Ed | Dec 20 2024 15:48 utc | 373
Every single day.
@ Aleph_Null | Dec 20 2024 15:43 utc | 411
Another petty lie. A lie for no practical reason. An emotion targeting lie. A manipulator’s lie.
Posted by: boneless | Dec 20 2024 15:48 utc | 374
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Dec 20 2024 15:37 utc | 409
He didn’t address anything, he won’t fire Nabiullina no matter what, while the man who wants Russia to win, Glasjew, who has the most consistent, rigorous, elaborate model for the Russian economy is shunned wherever possible…
Posted by: Larsbo | Dec 20 2024 15:49 utc | 375
“A German “Russia expert” tells DW that Ukraine’s SBU assassinated Igor Kirillov specifically because he accused the US of setting up biolabs in Ukraine, which the US has labeled “misinformation”
https://nitter.poast.org/MaxBlumenthal/status/1869447880865698297#m
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Dec 20 2024 15:53 utc | 376
Posted by: boneless | Dec 20 2024 15:35 utc | 408
Ignoring events, following the example of the ostrich, just doesn’t help 😉
By the way, what about the strong Iran and its revenge on Israel? The Israeli attacks were too devastating 😉
what about China? what about the brics? why doesn’t anyone help?
what about the weak dollar? de-dollarisation? where?
Why can turkey do whatever they want?
All the fairy tales of the Putin lover boys are ruthlessly exposed as propaganda and you still dream of the great strategist – what idiocy..
Posted by: joe911 | Dec 20 2024 15:54 utc | 377
Posted by: HB_Norica | Dec 20 2024 15:47 utc | 412
You obviously don’t know what you are talking about… Just The purchase of real estate for example has completely collapsed in the last few months because people, especially young Russians, can no longer afford real estate…
Posted by: Larsbo | Dec 20 2024 15:54 utc | 378
There was another massive missile attack on the Kursk region. Meanwhile Russia is doing superficial damage to targets in the Kiev region.
Posted by: bored | Dec 20 2024 14:55 utc | 392
Another act of a total desperation and frustration from the banderite nazi scum, since they have minimal success hitting military targets with SS/ATACMS, they have once again picked civilian targets in an oblast they’ve lost tens of thousands of troops and hundreds of equipment in with zero objective result, meanwhile they are getting their shit pushed in in Pokrovsk and Kurakhovo.
“superficial damage to targets in the Kiev region.”
It is amazing that you have a precise assesement of damage from the SBU right away after the strikes at all targets, care to share it?
Posted by: 5thcolumn | Dec 20 2024 15:59 utc | 379
Posted by: Larsbo | Dec 20 2024 15:49 utc | 415
########
He addressed all of your concerns.
You posted again without studying.
Why do you insist upon disrespecting the subject?
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Dec 20 2024 16:00 utc | 380
I always smile when I read Westerners interpret Russia through an American lens.
Russia’s economy is booming with relatively little debt.
America is stalled out (no real growth, increasing poverty, crushing debt burden), and Europe is in economic contraction.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Dec 20 2024 16:05 utc | 381
@ joe911 | Dec 20 2024 15:54 utc | 417
The more you talk, the dumber you look. None of you ever realize that. Do keep going.
Posted by: boneless | Dec 20 2024 16:05 utc | 382
You obviously don’t know what you are talking about… Just The purchase of real estate for example has completely collapsed in the last few months because people, especially young Russians, can no longer afford real estate…
Posted by: Larsbo | Dec 20 2024 15:54 utc | 418
.
.
.
You contradict yourself in a single comment…
If real estate is no longer being sold off as an investment, what does that indicate?
It becomes dangerous when everyone who thinks they have enough money buys a house, apartment, etc. and then goes bankrupt…IT’S CALLED A REAL ESTATE BUBBLE…
Anyone who buys real estate when interest rates are high does NOT want to invest money…that happens when there are no more interest rates.
And another thing, in Russia around 89% of apartments are owner-occupied…which are rented out FULLY furnished. (did you know?) NO…that’s because you’ve NEVER been there, only know everything from theory AND the biggest mistake is assuming capitalist conditions in Russia, here in housing construction…which, in contrast to the western bubble, is mostly carried out by state construction companies on behalf of the state! (did you know?)
How many are there in Germany or the USA or other EU countries? Who is building for what purpose in the West? Is the state building in order to sell residential property like in Russia?
Posted by: ossi | Dec 20 2024 16:06 utc | 383
You obviously don’t know what you are talking about… Just The purchase of real estate for example has completely collapsed in the last few months because people, especially young Americans, can no longer afford real estate…
Posted by: Larsbo | Dec 20 2024 15:54 utc | 418
Fixed it for you.
Posted by: jr | Dec 20 2024 16:08 utc | 384
I always smile when I read Westerners interpret Russia through an American lens.
Russia’s economy is booming with relatively little debt.
.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Dec 20 2024 16:05 utc | 421
.
.
That’s exactly what I meant in the last comment about the base interest rate and buying an apartment…
Western criteria are assumed here that don’t really exist in Russia.
Theorists, never been to the country or spoken to Russians living there…
Media victims of their upbringing.
Posted by: ossi | Dec 20 2024 16:10 utc | 385
Posted by: ossi | Dec 20 2024 16:06 utc | 423
Mir gehörte sogar einmal ein Appartement…In Saratow. Das die meisten Wohnungen in Russland möbliert vermietet-verkauft werden, weiß doch jedes Kind…Das ändert nichts an der Tatsache, dass sich die Situation für (junge Paare im speziellen) Russen, die Wohneigentum erwerben wollen, dramatisch verschlechtert hat…Der Staat muss jetzt mit Programmen einspringen, die überhaupt nicht bei einer rationalen Zinspolitik nötig wären…
Posted by: Larsbo | Dec 20 2024 16:20 utc | 386
What’s Hidden in Plain Sight:
The Pokrovsk Breakthrough: How Close Is Russia To Victory?
The main thing in the video is how Russian’s captured the new AFU forts south and south-west of Pokrovsk without a fight, as they were there before AFU could garrison them. This has led to Pokrovsk being in a cauldron from the south.
Why? Because the AFU has no reserves to divert, as they currently are trying, everywhere.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJQKwzqV2FI
Posted by: unimperator | Dec 20 2024 16:45 utc | 387
Posted by: boneless | Dec 20 2024 16:05 utc
no argument, but attacks ad hominem, because you know that I am right..
as weak and as incompetent as Putin 😉
Posted by: joe911 | Dec 20 2024 16:49 utc | 388
Were any of the ruling elite hit or targeted?
Posted by: Tichy | Dec 20 2024 13:49 utc | 381
Nah, no strike on Florida … yet 🙂
Posted by: Savonarole | Dec 20 2024 16:51 utc | 389
@ joe911 | Dec 20 2024 16:49 utc | 429
That’s some olympic level illogical acrobatics. You say I am capable of understanding you are right in the same post where you call me incompetent. You continue proving to be an idiot a little more every post. As I’ve said, do go on. The thread’s dead anyway.
Posted by: boneless | Dec 20 2024 16:54 utc | 390
ZH has a [posting up with the title
Six Embassies Damaged In ‘Barbaric’ Russian Attack On Kiev
worthwhile quote
The Russian defence ministry, meanwhile, claimed the attack was a response to Kyiv’s strike on the Kamensky Combine in Russia’s Rostov region and said Moscow forces had launched a strike with long-range precision weapons targeting the Ukrainian security service’s command post and the Kyiv Luch design bureau, which develops various anti-aircraft and missile systems.
Posted by: psychohistorian | Dec 20 2024 16:56 utc | 391
Posted by: psychohistorian | Dec 20 2024 16:56 utc | 432
########
Friend, ditch ZH and subscribe to a half dozen Substacks for free, and you will receive better information with less propaganda.
Reuters and ZH is a recipe for disinformation.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Dec 20 2024 17:00 utc | 392
Strikes on Kiev today … Hellensky got served a reasonable portion of FAFO “à la Russe” , how does it taste ? Sour ? Bitter ? Both ?
Posted by: Savonarole | Dec 20 2024 13:25 utc | 379
Were any of the ruling elite hit or targeted?
Posted by: Tichy | Dec 20 2024 13:49 utc | 381
It’s just a token for the most harmless and inconsequential one, but…
A nato founding member got its embassy blown in Kiev.
Could/will be seen as a declaration of “not off-limit”
Unless it was hit by AD or a shot down missile/drone
Posted by: Newbie | Dec 20 2024 17:01 utc | 393
Gas contract brinkmanship:
Slovakia called Kiev’s proposals for the transit of Russian gas absurd
Volodymyr Zelenskyy ruled out the possibility of continuing the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine. This was stated by Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico following the EU summit.
“He (Zelensky. —EADaily) absolutely ruled it out and made proposals that seem absurd to me. This is, for example, that he will agree with this only if we do not pay until the end of the war. What kind of fool will give us gas for free?” — He said.
He also stressed that Kiev, blocking the continuation of gas transit through Ukrainian territory, damages the national economic interests of Slovakia. According to him, this could harm the European Union as a whole.
“As soon as Ukraine stops gas transit, gas will rise in price. It will be painful for the whole EU,” the Prime Minister of Slovakia said.
At the same time, he drew attention to the fact that there is no consensus in the community on the continuation of gas supplies through Ukraine.
The contract between Gazprom and Kiev on gas transit through Ukraine ends in December this year. The Kiev regime refuses to extend it. This poses a serious threat to the energy security of a number of European countries.
Fico threatened Zelensky if Slovakia stops receiving gas from Ukraine because of him. Russia
Kiev’s termination of the transit of Russian gas may cause a serious conflict between Ukraine and Slovakia. This was stated by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
“If Zelensky (Vladimir Zelensky. — EADaily) will not let our gas in, a serious conflict may arise,” Fico wrote on his page in one of the social networks.
According to him, Slovakia provides assistance to Ukraine, so Bratislava expects the same attitude from Kiev.
“Why does it have to go only from us there? Why can’t there be some kind of solidarity with us?” “What is it?” he asked.
Recall that Kiev is not going to extend the contract for the transit of Russian gas through Ukrainian territory, which ends this year. This poses serious problems for a number of EU countries, including Slovakia.
Shmygal: At 7.00 on January 1, gas transit will be blocked. But…
On January 1, 2025, Ukraine will block the transit of Russian gas. This was stated by the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denis Shmygal.
“On January 1, Ukraine will block the transit of Russian gas,” Prime Minister of Ukraine Denis Shmygal said, according to Ekonomicheskaya Pravda. — At 7.00 am the transit will be physically blocked.”
The head of the Ukrainian government added that the resumption of supplies is possible only at the request of the European Commission and on condition that it will be non-Russian gas.
The day before, Vladimir Zelensky said in Brussels that he agreed to continue the transit of Russian gas if the money for it is in Russia will receive it only after the end of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico told reporters that he was also denied the option of changing the owner of gas on the Russian-Ukrainian border so that gas from European companies would already flow through Ukraine.
The head of the Slovak government promised that he would work with the European Commission for another three to four days to achieve an extension of transit. At the same time, Robert Fico said, at Christmas he will think over Slovakia’s retaliatory steps towards Ukraine. The local gas company SPP stated that switching to alternative fuel would cost it an additional 220 million euros.
Zelensky’s statement has already led to gas prices in Europe rising by 6% to $ 475 per thousand cubic meters.
https://eadaily.com/en/news/2024/12/20/shmygal-at-700-on-january-1-gas-transit-will-be-blocked-but
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Dec 20 2024 17:02 utc | 394
You obviously don’t know what you are talking about… Just The purchase of real estate for example has completely collapsed in the last few months because people, especially young Russians, can no longer afford real estate…
Posted by: Larsbo | Dec 20 2024 15:54 utc | 418
I don’t know what I’m talking about???
There’s a program in Russia where young Russians with families, IT workers and anyone buying houses in the far east get a government subsidized mortgage of between 2% and 6%. The 21% – 30% mortgages rates are driving speculators out of the market and driving down the cost of housing in Russia.
Posted by: HB_Norica | Dec 20 2024 17:02 utc | 395
Posted by: boneless | Dec 20 2024 16:05 utc
no argument, but attacks ad hominem, because you know that I am right..
as weak and as incompetent as Putin 😉
Posted by: joe911 | Dec 20 2024 16:49 utc | 429
i have no bone in your little fight, but… im sure you realized it, or at least i hope you did…
you are accusing him of exactly what you are guilty for.
Posted by: Justpassinby | Dec 20 2024 17:04 utc | 396
About the embassy, RF says
Earlier in the morning, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that Russian forces responded to Kiev’s attack on the Rostov Region by conducting a coordinated strike on the SBU control center, the Luch design bureau, and a Patriot anti-aircraft missile system position. The objectives of the operation were successfully accomplished, with all targets neutralized.
Unless I’m mistaken neither the luch nor the SBU are nearby, and the damage to the embassy is minimal (windows) so probably blast far away. Did the Ukrainians have a patriot in the park facing the embassy? Stay classy Z …
Posted by: Newbie | Dec 20 2024 17:18 utc | 397
The best they can get from Trump is a new Minsk agreement. The man has surrounded himself with Russophobes like Marco Rubio, Mike Waltz and Keith Kellogg for goodness sake.
Posted by: darius | Dec 20 2024 15:14 utc | 400
It would only be a new Minsk agreement if Russia agreed to sit down with Germany and France once more, while Trump’s team is not involved, and the Kiev regime manages to insert another group of has-been politicians as they did in the past. This won’t happen again.
Which is precisely why you are seeing the Western side squirm.
Posted by: Martina | Dec 20 2024 17:28 utc | 398
Power from Russia was the key to Germany committing to rebuilding it’s industrial base.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Dec 20 2024 15:20 utc | 403
Actually, power period is the key. Again, the industrial sabotage. The shutting down of the nuclear reactors. It’s not just an anti-Russia strategy.
Posted by: Tichy | Dec 20 2024 17:31 utc | 399
I have an impression that Russia, specifically Putin and oligarchs are afraid of Donald Trump. Or they respect him in some specific way.
Russia seems to be slowing down. They do not dare to attack important Ukro objects like bridges, railway lines, tunnels or 750 KV power grid.
Trump is a billionaire and that probably makes a big impression on Russian oligarchs. Possibly they want to “trade” with Trump.
Posted by: salmon | Dec 20 2024 17:35 utc | 400