Ukraine Open Thread 2025-144
News & views related to the war in Ukraine ...
Posted by b on June 29, 2025 at 12:36 UTC | Permalink
next page »It seems that trouble is brewing between Azerbaijan & Russia. Which was to be expected after that plane debacle a year ago. It seems that Azerbaijan is upset and canceled all Russian cultural events probably as a response to some alleged murder of 5 Azeri citizens in Yekaterinburg by FSB.
And of course, now those UKR propagandists are rejoicing because it adds another problem for Russia to deal with. Some proper diplomacy is needed here but it seems that RU doesn't do it either which is stupid and counterproductive.
Indeed, Azerbaijan is no ally of Russia but transforming it into a potential enemy is shortsighted and stupid considering the circumstances now.
Posted by: JamesBond | Jun 29 2025 13:11 utc | 2
The Russian military reported that crews of T-80 tanks destroyed Ukrainian positions in the Kupiansk sector. The movement of an enemy group in the area was reported by air reconnaissance. The commander of a tank platoon with the callsign "Kaluga" said that the protective screens were very useful against kamikaze drones, drones and any type of projectiles dropped on them. According to him, the tanks are also equipped with electronic warfare equipment, which "prevents any drone from approaching within a radius of one and a half kilometers".
https://odysee.com/@RTenfrancais:0/Т-80-ЗВО-купянское1:1
Posted by: Naive | Jun 29 2025 13:20 utc | 3
Cash for death introduced in Ukraine for all as young as 18 years of age to fight to death.
Posted by: pepe | Jun 29 2025 13:25 utc | 4
Posted by: Naive | Jun 29 2025 13:20 utc | 3
By the context I’d assume “protective screens” are cope cages.
It reminded me that a year or more ago RF was also betting on smoke screens, but haven’t read anything on that since then.
Posted by: Newbie | Jun 29 2025 13:42 utc | 5
“’Tis but a scratch”:
Residential areas and infrastructure in different regions were affectedhttps://regionews.ua/ukr/news/ukraine/1751184085-u-nich-na-29-chervnya-rf-atakuvala-mirni-mista-shcho-vidomo-pro-naslidki-ataki-po-oblastyah (via translation add-on.)This is reported by the Telegram channel "Times of Ukraine: news of Ukraine", reports RegioNews .
On the night of June 29, the Russian army carried out a large-scale combined attack on peaceful cities in Ukraine. Both the western and central regions of the country were hit. The invaders used kamikaze drones and cruise missiles aimed at critical infrastructure and residential areas.
In Lviv region, rockets and UAVs hit critical infrastructure. According to the regional military administration, there were no casualties.
At the same time, in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, the attack damaged a church, private homes and farms. It is known about one injured woman.
In the Kremenchug district of the Poltava region, a rocket hit an enterprise, causing a fire. There were no injuries.
In the Cherkasy region, enemy missiles hit three high-rise buildings-six people were injured.
In Zaporozhye, an enterprise and residential buildings were damaged, one person was injured. A similar situation has developed in the Kharkiv region: a Lightning-type kamikaze drone hit the roof of a high-rise building.
Damage was received at home and in the Sumy region, there are also wounded. In the Nikolaev area the infrastructure object is struck, there were no victims.
A series of explosions was also recorded in Dnipropetrovsk, Ternopil, Rivne, Volyn, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia and Kiev regions. The most powerful attacks took place in the western regions – in some places power outages were recorded. Poland raised fighter jets amid the threat, and one of the Russian UAVs, according to preliminary data, flew through the territory of Moldova and approached the border with Romania.
Ukrainian air defense forces worked on enemy targets during the night.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jun 29 2025 13:46 utc | 6
Ukie today admitting an F16 pilot was killed, they don't mention what type of magic carpet he was flying but dead for sure.....
Cheers M
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Jun 29 2025 14:03 utc | 7
Reuters claims Ukraine lost another F-16 while trying to intercept the Russian airstrike, but I haven’t seen any confirmation from the Russian side yet.
Posted by: Cable Guy | Jun 29 2025 14:04 utc | 8
Posted by: JamesBond | Jun 29 2025 13:11 utc | 2
I wonder if we might see Iran and Russia partition Azerbaijan in a few years.
I don't know as much as I'd like, but it seems that Prime Minister Aliyev is solidly aligned with Netanyahu and Erdogan, which in turn leads to an unstable situation.
The current international climate would not allow for this, but it could happen in the context of a broader war.
Posted by: Afro | Jun 29 2025 14:07 utc | 9
Re F-16, there is this report: https://news-pravda.com/world/2025/06/29/1477870.html
Some details are emerging on the topic of the destruction of another American F-16 fighter of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In particular, information is being published about the Ukrainian military pilot who was eliminated along with the plane.This is 32-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Ustimenko. It is known that he was a classmate of another pilot of the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We are talking about "Dzhus" - Andrey Pil'shchikov. According to the official version, Pil'shchikov died as a result of the collision of two L-39 training aircraft in the sky over the Zhytomyr region. This happened on August 25, 2023.
It is reported that the F-16 piloted by Ustimenko was shot down in the skies over the Chernihiv region. At the same time, there are reports that it was “highlighted” for Russian missiles A-50 AWACS aircraft. At the same time, there is no precise data yet as to whether the F-16 was shot down by a ground-based air defense system or an air-to-air missile from a Russian Aerospace Forces fighter. But there is information that the American-designed fighter was sent by the command to "hunt" for Russian combat aircraft.
The Ukrainian first-class pilot did not survive the missile attack. Moreover, according to the latest information, he did not manage to make any attempts to eject and was eliminated during the flight. The wreckage of the F-16, according to the latest information, fell to the east of Chernigov.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jun 29 2025 14:12 utc | 10
@9,
There is no need to partition Azerbaijan or even go to war with it. They are a Turkish protectorate at the end of the day. But indeed, its a problem for both Russia & Iran. There are a lot of Azeri nationals in Russia which can cause a lot of problems that requires some proper diplomacy and soft expulsions of those involved in crimes from both countries.
Which it seems that neither Russia & Iran is doing at the moment.
Posted by: JamesBond | Jun 29 2025 14:16 utc | 11
Ukrainians began organized resistance to military enlistment officershttps://eadaily.com/ru/news/2025/06/29/ukraincy-nachali-organizovannoe-soprotivlenie-sotrudnikam-voenkomatov (via translation add-on.)Ukrainians began to organize riots against employees of military registration and enlistment offices and "fight off" those mobilized, said Sergey Lebedev, coordinator of the Nikolaev pro-Russian underground.
"This is not a revolution, ... but there are riots already, and they can be seen with the naked eye. In residential areas, in the entrances-people organize themselves: they set up patrols, make sure that the Tskshniki (employees of territorial recruitment centers) do not get through. As soon as they appear-immediately signal, and people come out, resist. 20 people each, or even more. Women, men-all together. At the shopping center in such situations, the picture does not add up: it is impossible to crush the crowd, " цитирует RIA Novosti quotes Lebedev.
According to him, there are more and more open conflicts between citizens and employees of the shopping center, while the Kiev regime continues to make enemies of all those who did not serve and do not work for the army.
"The choice is simple: either you unite, or you will simply be erased, " Lebedev added.
A fracturing nation, no need for Russia to hurry, let the whole sorry mess implode.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jun 29 2025 14:27 utc | 12
Ukraine and World Affairs: Weekly Update, 27th June 2025: May be useful to some: https://robcampbell.substack.com/p/ukraine-and-world-affairs-weekly-fd5
Posted by: The Busker | Jun 29 2025 14:27 utc | 13
After a DS decent (almost 20km2), DS is saying a null day. Casualties wise it was low 1.350 and lower 1.250
Marat details some decent conquests
https://maratkhairullin.substack.com/p/brief-frontline-report-june-28-2025
And plenty of encirclements of all sizes.
Summer should be fun.
Posted by: Newbie | Jun 29 2025 14:34 utc | 14
Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jun 29 2025 12:54 utc | 1
Israel to Ukraine: all your AD is rightfully ours.
Posted by: Melaleuca | Jun 29 2025 14:35 utc | 15
There’s a enough posted on telegram and xwitter to make a persuasive case Azerbaijan airspace was open to Israeli drones to attack Tehran.
It was reported… but silence from the mockingbirds… that a day after the Trump brokered timeout, Israel pushed its luck and sent another drone through an apartment window to assassinate a high value Iranian either govt or scientist.
Iran sent a drone straight back to Baku and blew up an apartment of someone there.
That seems to have sent a compelling FAFO message to Azerbaijan.
The mockingbirds have ignored, because once again Israel git smacked.
——
Azerbaijan sees an opportunity to grab a piece of Iran ..
That’s the plan. Have the Kurds, the Azeris and the Baluchis all seek “independence” ….
Posted by: Melaleuca | Jun 29 2025 14:51 utc | 16
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian armed forces struck Ukraine's defense industry facilities and oil refineries overnight with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.
"At night, the Russian armed forces delivered a mass strike by air-, ground-, and sea-based long-range precision weapons, Kinzhal hypersonic ballisticmissile systems as well as unmanned aerial vehicles at Ukrainian defense industry and oil refineries. The goal of the strike was achieved. All the assigned targets were engaged," the ministry said in a statement.
The Russian armed forces took control of the village of Novoukrainka in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), the Russian Defense Ministry said.
"As a result of resolute and decisive actions, Battlegroup Tsentr liberated Novoukrainka (Donetsk People's Republic)," the ministry said in a statement.
Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr has eliminated over 400 Ukrainian soldiers over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
"The enemy's losses amounted to 400 service people, a US-made М113 combat armored vehicle, one Kazak armored fighting vehicle, 15 cars and four field artillery pieces," the ministry said in a statement.
Russia's Battlegroup Zapad has eliminated up to 220 soldiers, while Battlegroup Sever has eliminated more than 190 Ukrainian soldiers, the ministry said, adding that Battlegroup Yug has eliminated up to 160 Ukrainian service people.
Russia's Battlegroup Vostok eliminated up to 185 Ukrainian service people and destroyed four field artillery guns, the ministry said.
Russian Forces Liberate Chervonaya Zirka Village in DPR - MoD
Yesterday Russia's Battlegroup Dnepr has eliminated up to 85 Ukrainian soldiers, nine motor vehicles, an electronic warfare station and an ammunition depot.
The air defense systems destroyed one long-range Ukrainian Neptune missile, 102 fixed-wing drones and an Israeli-made RADA counter-fire radar, the statement read.
Total: 1140 Ukrainians servicemen eliminated. Likely more.
Posted by: Naive | Jun 29 2025 15:08 utc | 17
Joti Brar
https://www.youtube.com/live/HABwKORAaZE
"The real reason the Imperial West hates Russia."
Young Politicians of Canada: Unmasking A NATO Front
https://yvesengler.com/2025/06/28/unmasking-nato-front-young-politicians-of-canada
"NATO fears losing its ideological grip on the young so the belligerent military alliance's backers are fighting back...This is the context in which to understand the Young Politicians of Canada."
Posted by: JohnGilberts | Jun 29 2025 15:15 utc | 18
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jun 29 2025 14:12 utc | 10
Another confirmation:
Posted by: Naive | Jun 29 2025 15:16 utc | 19
The Ukrainian secret services are the organizers and sponsors of the terrorist attack perpetrated in the Crocus City Hall concert hall near Moscow, the Russian media reported, citing documents from the dossier. Thus, one of the terrorists indicated that after committing the attack, Dalerjon Mirzoyev and Chamsidin Faridouni, the authors of this attack, sent a certain coordinator, Saifoullo, a message to inform him of having carried out the attack. "I also learned during their conversation that Saifoullo told them that the sponsor of this terrorist attack in the Crocus City Hall concert hall was a structure of the Ukrainian state," he noted. According to the testimonies of one of the four perpetrators of the terrorist attack, the accomplices should have "gone to the border between Russia and Ukraine and crossed it". Saifoullo then allegedly gave them additional instructions to travel to Kiev, where they should have received one million rubles (about 10,800 euros) each from the sponsors of the attack.
"I understood that we were used in the interests of another country, Ukraine, which has nothing to do with the Islamic world, but which solves some of its problems on Russian territory by proxy. The members of the Daesh-Khorasan terrorist group were only the organizers of our actions at the request of the Ukrainian government structure, as Saifoullo himself finally said, " the minutes of the interrogation indicate. The testimonies of the defendants also reveal that the perpetrators of the attack had a special legend so that the public would think that the attack perpetrated at Crocus City Hall had been committed exclusively in the interest of the Islamic State terrorist organization, and that the rapid identification of the terrorists would be confirmation of this. Saifullo convinced the defendants that they had to help Ukraine, because it is at war with Russia, which is the enemy of Muslims.
Yandex translation from French.
Read more on RT in French: https://francais.rt.com/russie/122477-attentat-crocus-city-hall-kiev-etait-commanditaire-confirment-auteurs-attaque
Posted by: Naive | Jun 29 2025 15:22 utc | 20
Trying To Save Her Son From Death...(& vid)
https://x.com/anatoliisharii/status/1938246410131980716
"Don't try. Just accept the inevitable. And bow to your god Zelensky who demands new blood and flesh. Ukraine - European Union, right?"
Posted by: JohnGilberts | Jun 29 2025 15:26 utc | 21
There is no need to partition Azerbaijan or even go to war with it. They are a Turkish protectorate at the end of the day. But indeed, its a problem for both Russia & Iran. There are a lot of Azeri nationals in Russia which can cause a lot of problems that requires some proper diplomacy and soft expulsions of those involved in crimes from both countries.
Which it seems that neither Russia & Iran is doing at the moment.
Posted by: JamesBond | Jun 29 2025 14:16 utc | 11
--------------
Bah, Azerbaijan is a wretched little oil despotism and Erdogan's "protection" means nothing. No diplomatic measure is necessary in this case.
Simply put the kleptocrat, party-hack spawned tyrant in his f*cking place.
The Azeri rank opportunists after all, not any kind of threat. Although letting the Iranians take back their old province would be funny, to end that farce of a country.
Posted by: Urban Fox | Jun 29 2025 15:36 utc | 22
It should be obvious that using multi-million-dollar F16's to shoot down inexpensive drones, putting pilots who've had years of training and resources invested in them at risk, is not a winning move.
But this is NATO and Ukraine we're talking about. Not the sharpest tools in the shed.
Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Jun 29 2025 15:39 utc | 23
@22,
Yes, but so are most of those Arab/Sunni fiefdoms. You can't win against all of them. Making more enemies now is not a winning strategy.
Posted by: JamesBond | Jun 29 2025 15:43 utc | 24
Posted by: Newbie | Jun 29 2025 14:34 utc | 14
wish we still had Anonymous/Julian. Be nice to know he daily km/sq tallies during this "offensive".
Posted by: UWDude | Jun 29 2025 16:28 utc | 25
should be obvious that using multi-million-dollar F16's to shoot down inexpensive drones...
Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Jun 29 2025 15:39 utc | 23
So? It is called a proxy for a reason, they are not supposed to survive for long. The f16s sent to Ukr are all very old, there is no money lost
Posted by: rk | Jun 29 2025 17:00 utc | 26
The f16s sent to Ukr are all very old, there is no money lost
Posted by: rk | Jun 29 2025 17:00 utc | 26
########
Money is a representation of time, labor, and materials. All of the time, labor, and materials invested in those planes are squandered when one is destroyed. And that doesn't even go into the time and resources it takes to develop a pilot.
Saying that there is no loss is the thinking of the Western political class.
You know, the guys losing conflicts left and right.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jun 29 2025 17:05 utc | 27
JamesBond @ 2
Indeed, Azerbaijan is no ally of Russia but transforming it into a potential enemy is shortsighted and stupid considering the circumstances now.
The baying hounds on the trail, dreaming of the feast when the master carves up the carcass. Defeating Iran is all about attacking Russia in the Caspian, forcing Russia to defend its border from Finland to the Black Sea to Central Asia while tied down in Central Europe. Reminds you of anything? Operation Edelweiss? Edelweiss, Silver Fox, Siege of Leningrad, same plan only this time the entire Golden Billion is being mobilized along with their slavering minions from West Asia, Hitler came damn close, if only Leningrad had fallen, but third time's the charm. NATO is going to throw half the world against Russia, and China, and Iran - half the world vs half the world, when it ramps up WW3 is going to be a doozy.
BTW if anyone hasn't noticed Iran has only one honest ally in West Asia, Yemen, maybe Algeria, maybe Pakistan, Algeria can't do much, Pakistan seems to be striving for stability as the Empire's chaos puts it at risk more than reward but my guess is it goes with the path of least resistance, which like for Turkiye is with NATO. Except for Yemen, Iran, Russia, China, DPRK, the ruling oligarchies of most of the planet are all in line, willing, owned, or compromised, or all three.
Iran is only a battle not a war, the sides are licking their wounds, the battle will resume soon enough. All the rest, nuclear deals, envoys, negotiations are distractions.
---
The vast majority of attacks on Tehran and Karaj were carried out from the direction of the Caspian Sea, after passing through Azerbaijan. Attacks on Tabriz and its surroundings were conducted by penetrating Iran from northern Iraq. Attacks on Tabriz and its surroundings were conducted by penetrating Iran from northern Iraq...
P.S. Azerbaijani President Aliyev has officially denied any involvement, but in the same way he also denied the participation of Turkish proxies in the 2020 war against Karabakh, during which he actively used Israeli drones, reconnaissance tools, and tactical missiles. Azerbaijan is interested in the weakening and disintegration of Iran, as this would open up opportunities to seize southern Armenia and annex northwestern regions of Iran, where a significant portion of the population is ethnic Azerbaijani. https://t.me/CyberspecNews/85382
---
Take this with a grain of salt:
Pro-US sources are reporting that a presenter on Azerbaijan's state-run channel, Baku TV, said the Azerbaijani army may soon enter Tabriz in northwest Iran. https://t.me/Slavyangrad/133567
---
The Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation refused to participate in the 23rd meeting of the interparliamentary commission on cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation, the Milli Majlis reported. The meeting was supposed to be held in Moscow. https://t.me/intelslava/77290
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jun 29 2025 17:14 utc | 28
In many video clips there is no sign of air defence, the missiles or drones fly in unmolested.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jun 29 2025 12:54 utc | 1
Holy Sh!t, that's a serious pounding. Looks like they were bringing almost all the toys to bear and in volume.
Posted by: TJandTheBear | Jun 29 2025 17:19 utc | 29
You know, the guys losing conflicts left and right.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jun 29 2025 17:05 utc | 27
Since Ukraine has very few usable aircraft any loss is a huge loss, not counting the monstrous loss of a NATO-trained pilot.
Posted by: TJandTheBear | Jun 29 2025 17:21 utc | 30
The Russians have launched an increasing offensive along much of the front line, with many gains. You really question how long the Ukrainians can last before a section of the front starts a complete collapse.
From Weeb Union:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itGxvx1Zu3w
Posted by: Roger Boyd | Jun 29 2025 17:22 utc | 31
"Yes, but so are most of those Arab/Sunni fiefdoms. You can't win against all of them. Making more enemies now is not a winning strategy.
Posted by: JamesBond | Jun 29 2025 15:43 utc | 24"
The flip side of that coin is you can't win by letting the Azerbaijanis use their patch of dirt as a platform for the US or Israel either.
_________________________________________________________
Money is a representation of time, labor, and materials. All of the time, labor, and materials invested in those planes are squandered when one is destroyed. And that doesn't even go into the time and resources it takes to develop a pilot.
Saying that there is no loss is the thinking of the Western political class.
You know, the guys losing conflicts left and right.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jun 29 2025 17:05 utc | 27
True. But depreciation and obsolescence come into play heavily on military toys that land into 30 degree c and fly up into minus 70. Rapid expansion and contraction compels metal fatigue. And few, if any, of those F16s were on NATO books above a zero asset value.
Even the vaunted F35 seems to be carefully kept away from serious, close-up fighting. And the invisible B2? Likely the most invisible ever, since the flying bucket of glue, never actually flew over Iran.
Posted by: kupkee | Jun 29 2025 17:26 utc | 32
The Russians have launched an increasing offensive along much of the front line, with many gains. You really question how long the Ukrainians can last before a section of the front starts a complete collapse.
Posted by: Roger Boyd | Jun 29 2025 17:22 utc | 31
Gotta wonder if it's truly an increasing offensive or simply the AFU collapse accelerating and the RF filling the vacuum.
I still say the AFU looks like the 1945 Wehrmacht and total collapse could very much happen this year.
Notice how you're not hearing "unconditional ceasefire" or "boots on the ground" much anymore? EU sees the writing on the wall which is why they've pivoted to defending themselves vs. saving Ukraine. They can't defend themselves and they'll never be able to do so but the UK/EU clowns derive all their power from the fear trade therefore the narrative must continue.
Posted by: TJandTheBear | Jun 29 2025 17:33 utc | 33
And few, if any, of those F16s were on NATO books above a zero asset value.
Posted by: kupkee | Jun 29 2025 17:26 utc | 32
Agreed, but the AFU would love to have whatever cast-off's NATO has left at this point. The biggest limiting factor to more F-16's going to Ukraine is not available airframes so much as trained pilots.
Posted by: TJandTheBear | Jun 29 2025 17:38 utc | 34
Posted by: TJandTheBear | Jun 29 2025 17:33 utc | 33
########
France and the UK have been stuffing special operations troops into the Odessa region. The Russians are exterminating them.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jun 29 2025 17:50 utc | 35
Re: F16 turkey shootdowns...
Purely in the context of world affairs involving wars between Good vs Evil (ahem...) and controlled media output.
🔻Isn't it interesting when ever there is a downed 'Russian' manufactured plane, the internet is hastily flooded with countless images, video orgies of the destruction.
🔻Yet when there is any American or European manufactured planes, little to none existential images, videos are ever as readily available for the orgy fest. Even when claims are made, they get silenced quickly online.
🔻Same can be said with satellite imagery. People still believe in the illusion pixeled IMAGES they see reflected on the retina, without doubt.
Its a magical world...
Posted by: Rob | Jun 29 2025 17:52 utc | 36
Agreed, but the AFU would love to have whatever cast-off's NATO has left at this point. The biggest limiting factor to more F-16's going to Ukraine is not available airframes so much as trained pilots.
Posted by: TJandTheBear | Jun 29 2025 17:38 utc | 34
That's not necessarily true either; there are certainly hundreds of retired F16 pilots or even without any income, precisely because there were and are thousands of these things on every continent on earth. Ultimately, the price determines whether a mercenary will climb into an old F16 and, if he's unlucky, encounter a Soviet Union.
The Israeli F35s were strictly prohibited from coming close to the Iranian border because it was never certain whether all of the Iranian ADs were inactive... F35s were also not allowed over Syrian airspace; the risk of an S300 still functioning was probably too great.
Regarding the alleged B2s... even if they were in the airspace, Iran is NOT rolling out the red carpet for these old machines!
Don't forget, five B2s were lost in the war over Serbia, and the defense technology hasn't deteriorated since then.
Posted by: Genesiss | Jun 29 2025 17:55 utc | 37
Azerbaijan is an artificial nation that was created during the Turkish Revolutionary War that erupted as WW1 was ending, which is a fact I uncovered while researching that event for an article I wrote about Anatolia. Its artificial nature was capitalized upon by the Bolsheviks who were instrumental in its creation. I reported on the last Summit between Putin and Aliev which can be found and read at my substack. The whole of the Southern Caucasus region remains a target of the Outlaw US Empire to destabilize Russia if we look at the region's history since 1920, and especially recently. The most recent report related to Azerbaijan by Russia's MFA was during Maria Zakharova's 19 June briefing last of three paragraphs:
Both Azerbaijan and Armenia are dear to us as countries and peoples with whom we have developed relations for centuries, with whom we have such close ties. For us, Iran is a country with which we are developing relations, we have so many plans. This is a region that has experienced so much (in a broad sense). Now our actions and policies are focused on – this is one of the priorities – to bring stability there. To consolidate it economically, to show the advantages and priority of progressive development and cooperation, rather than conflict potential. Of course, it is not for me to tell you how many forces, crossroads and knots are tied there. I think you can guess and know. You asked about Russia's position, and I presented it to you.
/////////////////////////
I came to this thread to post the words Lavrov served up today in his remarks to the press after his ministerial meetings in Kyrgyzstan about the parallels between German and Ukrainian Nazis:
As for international issues, we paid special attention to the situation in the Middle East, the Palestinian problem, and the situation around Iran. We expressed gratitude to our friends for their balanced and objective position on what is happening around the efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. We are convinced that in order to reliably resolve all issues, it is necessary to eliminate the root causes of this crisis, as President of Russia Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stressed. First of all, this is the elimination of threats to Russia's security that have arisen as a result of NATO's eastward expansion and attempts to draw Kiev into the North Atlantic Alliance with plans to create military infrastructure in Ukraine aimed at the Russian Federation.It is equally important to stop the criminal activities of the Kiev regime to legislatively exterminate everything Russian, all the rights of Russians and Russian-speaking residents of Ukraine, which are guaranteed by the Constitution of this country, but which have been exterminated by law as far as the Russian language is concerned, at all stages of education, in the media, in the sphere of culture and in many other areas.
Against this background, we are surprised to hear and look at the "incantations" sounding from European capitals. Recently, President of France Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Frank Merz wrote a joint article saying that Europe must arm itself, that Russia is the main threat, that it is waging imperialist wars: in 2008 it invaded Georgia, in 2014 – Crimea and Donbass, in 2022 – the territory of all of Ukraine, that Vladimir Putin's goal is to undermine European security. I think that these quotes are enough for a person who understands more or less what is happening in Europe and follows events to understand that these "figures" have completely lost their common sense and are openly trying to return to the times when France and Germany wanted to conquer all of Europe, primarily the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. It is sad that they are returning to those instincts. The recent statement by German Chancellor Frank Merz that it is necessary to make Ukraine strong and not to succumb to Russian "tricks" such as calls for negotiations, because otherwise, they say, Europe will repeat the experience of the 1930s, when the leading European powers decided to appease the aggressor in the person of Hitler's Germany. A stunning comparison for a person who claims to take him seriously as Chancellor of the Federal Republic.
I don't remember that in the Czech Republic, Poland or any other European country invaded by Nazi Germany, the German language and culture were banned, and monuments to Johannes Goethe, Friedrich Schiller and Ernest Kant were demolished. There was no such thing. What Mr Merz mixed up seems to me to be a serious topic, without clarifying which it is pointless to talk with Europe further. What the German Nazis and modern Ukrainian Nazis have in common is their attitude towards those they want to enslave. The Nazis burned Jews only because they were Jews. And the Ukrainian Nazis burned Russian people in Odessa on May 2, 2014 only because they were Russians. I would advise German Chancellor Frank Merz to clarify such parallels for himself.
Some will have missed what Putin said at last Friday's presser about curtailing the amount of GDP Russia devotes to its military which is now 6.3%. Putin provided a long discussion about the issue which is worth reading fully. Here's the main budgetary excerpt:
But now the most important thing. We are planning to reduce our defense spending, both next year and in the next three years. While there is no final agreement between the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Economic Development, everyone is thinking in this direction. Meanwhile, Europe is considering how to increase its defense spending. So, who is preparing for aggressive actions, us or them?Yes, of course, we want to complete the special military operation with the result we need. This is what we are counting on, not aggressive plans against Europe and NATO countries. We plan to reduce our expenses, while they plan to increase them. So who is being aggressive? This is the basis of our defense and security policy.
The biggest limiting factor to more F-16's going to Ukraine is not available airframes so much as trained pilots.
Sheep dipped NATO pilots are plenty
Posted by: Exile | Jun 29 2025 18:06 utc | 39
@ Genesiss | Jun 29 2025 17:55 utc | 37
Don't forget, five B2s were lost in the war over Serbia . . .
Forget? I never heard that one before; cough up the evidence for that statement.
Posted by: maja | Jun 29 2025 18:07 utc | 40
Sheep dipped NATO pilots are plenty
Posted by: Exile | Jun 29 2025 18:06 utc | 39
Because they don't need fur at all...a dollar figure and a vacation voucher are enough...
If only there weren't the fear of the SU 35/30/25 and the accursed S400.
But with enough material, even that fear disappears.
Posted by: Nemesiss | Jun 29 2025 18:10 utc | 41
The war around Odessa...
https://t.me/sheyhtamir1974/130854
Posted by: Nemesiss | Jun 29 2025 18:17 utc | 42
Don't forget, five B2s were lost in the war over Serbia, and the defense technology hasn't deteriorated since then.
Posted by: Genesiss | Jun 29 2025 17:55 utc | 37
F-117 Nighthawks, not B-2's.
Posted by: TJandTheBear | Jun 29 2025 18:20 utc | 43
Sheep dipped NATO pilots are plenty
Posted by: Exile | Jun 29 2025 18:06 utc | 39
Yes, there are, and Ukraine would take them so you have to ask why NATO's slow-walked the F-16 thing...
Posted by: TJandTheBear | Jun 29 2025 18:22 utc | 44
Pilots for F-16s are just one aspect, possibly even more valuable are the qualified and experienced maintenance ground crew; I suppose it depends on how many of those people the NATO donor nations are prepared to commit/lose?
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jun 29 2025 18:23 utc | 45
The strikes on Ukraine are very much going up in scale, I think the slo-mo in the SMO was mainly due to a WWI dystopian battlefield now mined in three dimensions, land below every step and every square meter of sky above your head*, but also to develop work arounds from sanctions and ramp up Russia's MIC and build up Russia's stockpile for war with NATO.
The arsenal is topped up with the RuMIC running full steam ahead, with the extra available for the SMO it looks like Russia is ready to do a Grozny on Ukraine. Ukraine may be fraternal but the US Civil War was just as fraternal and Lincoln, Grant, and Sherman ended the war by going scorched earth on the Confederacy.
This ramp up might be a last warning, but I believe NATO will not change plans and neither will Russia, so Ukraine will be forced to hold out for 3-5 more years till NATO is ready to go all in. It's going to get extremely ugly for Ukraine, soon it'll only be the old, the poor, the clueless, and nazi fanatics left there to die, while the remaining bourgeoisie skedaddles like we just saw in Israel, very sad situation.
* Epic hunt by a swarm of drones. The modern face of war
Oreshnik Unleashed! Putin Confirms Mass Production of Russia’s New Super Missile
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jun 29 2025 18:44 utc | 46
Ukraine will be forced to hold out for 3-5 more years till NATO is ready to go all inPosted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jun 29 2025 18:44 utc | 46
Hmmm... that seems somewhat optimistic; Ukraine holding out for 3-5 more months is not guaranteed, let alone 3-5 years. Who is going to do the “forcing”? And what with?
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jun 29 2025 18:53 utc | 47
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jun 29 2025 17:14 utc | 28
I wonder if the BTC pipeline might no go boom sometime soon...
Posted by: ChatNPC | Jun 29 2025 18:53 utc | 48
Re: Naive | Jun 29 2025 15:22 utc | 20
Israel’s Mossad All Over Ukraine Arms and Intelligence
Just a confirmation of what was known from the moment 4 suspects were arrested fleeing towards UA. Tajik mercenaries tasked and coordinated by IS-K from Idlib, Syria. Same as the suicide bombings earlier in 2024 at the commemoration of Suleimani in Kerman, Iran.
Attrition for Shia militia in Iraq driving the Islamic State out of Iraq, Fallujah and Mosul.
Covered this in writings in three parts.
RFU OP: Tajikistan and Khorasan Deception Parts 1-2-3 | 27 March 2024 |
Pilots for F-16s are just one aspect, possibly even more valuable are the qualified and experienced maintenance ground crew; I suppose it depends on how many of those people the NATO donor nations are prepared to commit/lose?
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jun 29 2025 18:23 utc | 45
Excellent point. Although not a designed HMB like the F-35 those older airframes likely require tons of TLC.
Posted by: TJandTheBear | Jun 29 2025 19:20 utc | 50
Hmmm... that seems somewhat optimistic; Ukraine holding out for 3-5 more months is not guaranteed, let alone 3-5 years. Who is going to do the “forcing”? And what with?
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jun 29 2025 18:53 utc | 47
"Somewhat" optimistic? More like outrageously so. Again, IMHO they won't last past this year. The RF is capturing the last of the gateway strongholds and then it's open territory straight to the Dnieper. They get there and it's all over for Ukraine; Z flees into exile, the AFU totally collapses and the RF rolls into the rest of the country virtually unopposed.
Posted by: TJandTheBear | Jun 29 2025 19:25 utc | 51
Posted by: karlof1 | Jun 29 2025 17:58 utc | 38
Thanks a lot Karl, your contributions are very much appreciated.
Posted by: Avtonom | Jun 29 2025 19:27 utc | 52
"Tis but a scratch” #2
According to NATO stenographer The Guardian:
"Russia had fired 477 drones and decoys as well as 60 missiles overnight. While 475 of these were shot down or lost..."
I've no idea why Zelensky is begging for more Patriots if their existing AD can take down the fantastical figure of 475 drones out of 477 (the phrase 'lost' is a curious one, as though the Russians are somewhat lackadaisical with their airborne munitions).
In other news:
Channeling the spirit of the Vatican ratlines, Pope Leo XIV had this to say to an audience of West Ukrainian Greek Catholic pilgrims:
"I wish to express my closeness to the martyred Ukraine — to the children, the youth, the elderly, and especially to the families who mourn their loved ones... I share in your sorrow for the prisoners and for the victims of this senseless war."
"Martyred Ukraine"?
Western neoliberal elites now have a Pope they are happy with after the suggestion of Pope Francis that Ukraine should have the courage to wave the white flag (both an eminently sound suggestion & a prophecy of what will eventually come to pass).
Posted by: FakeBelieve | Jun 29 2025 19:30 utc | 53
Jeremy Rhymings-Lang @ 47
that seems somewhat optimistic; Ukraine holding out for 3-5 more months is not guaranteed, let alone 3-5 years. Who is going to do the “forcing”? And what with?
Doesn't take many men to do a fighting retreat, I read somewhere that the latest drones allow one guy to fly several at once, passed the Donbass is open farmland and large forests, that's the NATO plan and what we are now seeing develop in Ukraine, particularly in Sumy, small scattered squads, highly mobile with a lot of drones, hiding in ruins and improvised forest trenches swarming the Russian advance in a fighting retreat. They can do that for a long time, you could underestimate Ukraine's capabilities but I wouldn't underestimate NATO.
Doesn't mean NATO's plan will work out, I believe the 4th Reich will be defeated in WW3, but it's a long, long way from now to victory. We are in the 1937-1939 period, most people are in a seaside cafe looking at the boats bobbing up and down, not yet looking at the wide open ocean. When the elites are ready to mobilize the masses they will raise the golden billion's gaze to the horizon, to their strategic plan, the last hope to save Democracy and Civilization. You can see them hard at work on it, but it's not yet time for the great unveiling. Holding Ukraine is geo-strategically essential to the 4th Reich, so they will hold it.
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jun 29 2025 19:37 utc | 54
*** Ukraine may be fraternal but the US Civil War was just as fraternal and Lincoln, Grant, and Sherman ended the war by going scorched earth on the Confederacy. ***
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jun 29 2025 18:44 utc | 46
You can look at the US as being several nations - New Englanders that emigrated from East Anglia (Parlementarians) ; Quakers from north of the Midlands to the Mid-Atlantic; Royalists from Sounthern Britian that wanted a caste social structure and Scots Irish and northwest borderlands Brits who became Appalachian hillbillies. The US Civil War was a continuation of the British Civil War - Parlementarians who brought over the Quakers vs Royalists who dragged in the hillbillies.
Posted by: frithguild | Jun 29 2025 19:41 utc | 55
frithguild @ 55
You can look at the US as being several nations...
Good stuff! Some amazing history tidbits show up on MoA.
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jun 29 2025 19:47 utc | 56
They can do that for a long time, you could underestimate Ukraine's capabilities but I wouldn't underestimate NATO.
We are in the 1937-1939 period...
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jun 29 2025 19:37 utc | 54
We've consistently overestimated NATO, and (again) this is 1945 not 1937. In 1943 Germany was generally at the height of it's expansion; that's the equivalent of the AFU's vaunted 2023 counter-offensive.
We're past "The Battle of the Bulge" (Kursk) and Volkssturm. The fat lady's just offstage and running scales.
Posted by: TJandTheBear | Jun 29 2025 19:59 utc | 57
5 hours ago Hungary’s Paks II Nuclear Power Project Fires Up as US Lifts Sanctions
Now that the US government has revoked sanctions related to the Paks II Nuclear Power Plant project, construction at the site could gain "new impetus," Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Sunday.
If you want NATO members to arm up, you need power for industry now.
Posted by: Laurence | Jun 29 2025 20:00 utc | 58
@ LightYearsFromHome | Jun 29 2025 19:37 utc | 54
I take your points, all valid speculation, which is all any of us can really do; in that spirit I would offer up the prospect of the Western elites not being entirely in control of matters, and that loss of control may well manifest itself as an internal fragmentation/collapse of the entity currently known as Ukraine; the current dynamic points strongly towards survival for 3-5 years as being highly unlikely.
@ TJ and The Bear has pulled me up about the use of the word “somewhat”, but in an uncertain situation it can be safer to understate rather than overstate; things are in a state of flux and the energy driving the turbulence is increasing.
The parallels with 1937-39 are not directly comparable in my view, simply because Spain had come through a civil war, though not with an outcome that many of us here appreciate; the true Ukrainian civil war is yet to break out. It will be a brief affair though, as those that align themselves with the West find themselves being supplied from empty cupboards.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jun 29 2025 20:02 utc | 59
wish we still had Anonymous/Julian. Be nice to know he daily km/sq tallies during this "offensive".
Posted by: UWDude | Jun 29 2025 16:28 utc | 25
This time of year I may not post daily, so I just say
"After a DS decent (almost 20km2), DS is saying a null day. Casualties wise it was low 1.350 and lower 1.250"
I round because it's deep state and often different from other maps (17.8 yesterday, 0.9 today) Currently even round casualties as only whereabouts are important IMHO
If you prefer, just go to the link and click (i) on the left bar (all dates available)
https://deepstatemap.live/en#7/49.9900839/41.1218262
Same for casualties, as RF mil site is still being diverted to netherlands/california, this is the best I can suggest
https://mskvremya.ru/article/2023/1520-poteri-ukrainy-za-vremya-spetsoperatsii
(on the right collum there is also a map)
Anyone wanting other maps might try
https://militarysummary.com/#/map
Trust only if you can check ;)
Posted by: Newbie | Jun 29 2025 20:05 utc | 60
It will be a brief affair though, as those that align themselves with the West find themselves being supplied from empty cupboards.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jun 29 2025 20:02 utc | 59
Concur. The NAFOs keep thinking Ukraine will become a hotbed of anti-Russian partisan activity, whereas it'll likely be a huge backlash against the Banderites that have been kidnapping fathers & sons when they're not openly taking bribes. Lots of anecdotal evidence of people not evacuating to welcome the RF with open arms, and that of AFU murdering civilians before leaving those same areas to prevent exactly that.
Posted by: TJandTheBear | Jun 29 2025 20:18 utc | 61
Good stuff! Some amazing history tidbits show up on MoA.
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jun 29 2025 19:47 utc | 56
The cities of the Pacific Northwest and the West Coast are all "Puritans" (A cult really) who believe when Government bends to their will they are exercising a holy duty. This includes foreign policy - they love bombing and regime change ops.
The Hilbillies spread from east Texas through the Appalachians to southern Pennsylvania and they all belive to their core that Government by its nature will arrive at injustices. They are the basically the ungovernable US warriors.
You can also add in the Latins these days, who are aclimated to a social structure that optimizes resource extraction, e.g. the Cartels. Kind of the opposite of the hilbillies and the libertarians of the old West cowboys.
When you realize US politics national and foreign policy is a function the Quakers and others swinging back and forth between Holier (Woker these days) than thou Puritans and the ungovernable Hilbillies / "Rednecks" (A term actually applied to borderlands Brits per US revolution), how the US behaves may make a little more sense.
Trump's family structure paternaly is Rhineland and Cowboy Libertarian and Scots Irish - McLeod from the Hebrides. As far as family structure, probably nuclear authoritian on both sides - very Redneck and the natural enemy of the Puritans.
Posted by: frithguild | Jun 29 2025 20:19 utc | 62
Pashinyan cracked down on the Armenian church the last weeks and Macron congratulated him for ,countering subversion'. Pashinyan saw Erdogan last week and would open a corridor for Turkey to access Azerbaijan. It is Erdogan's wet dream to connect the Turkophone countries n this way and have tight control on the new silk roads. The corridor would isolate Iran from Armenia. Pashinyan is a traitor to his country if ever one.
Posted by: Teraspol | Jun 29 2025 20:25 utc | 63
Ukraine will be forced to hold out for 3-5 more years till NATO is ready to go all in
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jun 29 2025 18:44 utc | 46
No way.
1) The western european leaders are cowards. They will never "go all in". Already they hide the casualties of their soldiers. Like General Georgelin, for instance.
2) They are completely corrupt.
3) Increase of military budgets is the way to make huge profits.
4) They want to be able to retire with the money of their corruption.
Posted by: Naive | Jun 29 2025 20:38 utc | 64
it'll likely be a huge backlash against the Banderites that have been kidnapping fathers & sonsPosted by: TJandTheBear | Jun 29 2025 20:18 utc | 61
Indeed, and just to add fuel to the fire, a reopening of historic wounds about whose family were Nazi/Banderite collaborators and who were resistance partisans during and after WW2. That has never been properly resolved there, grievances are still carried by the descendant families; a rupture point that NATO exploited in the former Yugoslavia, but could well blow back on them in Ukraine.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jun 29 2025 20:42 utc | 65
Zakharova: the descendants of the Nazis are deliberately placed in leadership positions in the West
Source:
Posted by: Naive | Jun 29 2025 20:46 utc | 66
The new director of MI6 is believed to be the granddaughter of a Ukrainian Nazi spy nicknamed The Butcher, according to the Daily Mail
Source:
Posted by: Naive | Jun 29 2025 20:53 utc | 67
"Unspoken Inheritance: Nazi Family Ties of Europe’s Modern Elites"
With examples.
Source:
Posted by: Naive | Jun 29 2025 20:57 utc | 68
@67,
British pigs are not even hiding anymore. I've read a vomit of an article from BBC regarding this story here https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0l406gpydgo. Its pretty obvious that these nazi fanatics were a long period of time on NATO payment. Russia really needs to win in the next few years or things will get very ugly.
Posted by: JamesBond | Jun 29 2025 21:25 utc | 69
FATWA: Iran’s Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi — one of the most senior Shia clerics in Qom — has issued a ruling declaring that threats against Khamenei by President Trump and others amount to a “war against Islam.” Remaining silent is “haram,” he says, and Muslims must…
pic.twitter.com/2jbgPjpW0l
🚨 FATWA: Iran’s Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi — one of the most senior Shia clerics in Qom — has issued a ruling declaring that threats against Khamenei by President Trump and others amount to a “war against Islam.” Remaining silent is “haram,” he says, and Muslims must respond with “severe punishment.”
Full Text:
In the name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
It is clear that threatening the leader of the Islamic world, as well as the esteemed sources of emulation, is a war against Islam. According to the Quranic verse “Indeed, the penalty for those who wage war against God and His Messenger…”, this act carries a severe punishment.
Strengthening the front of Muslims and the unity of Islamic ranks is an obligation. I consider it haram (forbidden) to remain silent in the face of such threats.
It is necessary for Muslims around the world to strongly condemn these threats and to take appropriate and united action.
May God preserve the Islamic community from the evil of enemies under the protection of the Imam of the Age (may God hasten his reappearance), and reward the righteous defenders.
Posted by: Jerr | Jun 29 2025 21:26 utc | 70
This Armenia, Azerbaijan developing, Macron, Erdogan is going to become something I rckon.
And once again, Shaikan oil field.
I can't write well but the brains in this place will know what I mean.
Posted by: Orson Cart | Jun 29 2025 21:48 utc | 71
And no Nordstream, Trumpet drill baby drill.
Long handsome profitgame seems like UK back in EU, EU broke and no energy, US imports LNG at a handsome profit.
All links to ME/RF oil gone, beggars banquet
Posted by: Orson Cart | Jun 29 2025 21:53 utc | 72
And Elon back commenting, the BBB bad as it gives more to old traditional industries rather than the new future industries.
So, yeah, same old control the oil play book and make a bundle.
renewables were always lies and oil isn't fossil fuel, it's there in abundance.
But you're not supposed to know.
Posted by: Orson Cart | Jun 29 2025 21:57 utc | 73
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jun 29 2025 20:02 utc | 59
Yes I agree. We are now in Spain 1936/37. Ukraine is the proxy war between west and east, just as Spain was in 1936, although in this case the dividing line was not so much East/West as North/South with the Pyrenees the dividing line. se are talking 1930s here, the global south was fully colonized and did what their european masters told them.
The powers are lining up much as they did in WWI and WWII. There are some differences of course but many similarities.
In 1914 and again in 1939, the UK and the collective west could not quite decide if the main enemy was Germany or Russia. Replace Germany with China and this dilemma is a rerun. One big difference is however that the Russia/China collaboration seems much more stable than the tentative Russia/German alliance of 1939.
The UK I feel has decided it made a mistake in 1914 - the real enemy is Russia and they must rectify that mistake to regain their glorious empire. (I did not say this was a sane delusion but it is what it is.)
Russia's adversaries remain pretty much the same Germany, France, Japan who have each invaded Russia in modern times, plus the UK which has not yet got over the charge of the Light Brigade. The powerful USA is a newer factor but happily joined the anti-Russia coalition in 1946. The cold war is now fully re=established, but the real danger we face is it morphing into WWIII.
Posted by: watcher | Jun 29 2025 22:30 utc | 74
Something Aleksandr Dugin said in his RT opinion piece about the recent Israeli/Iran conflict has very real implications to the current SMO.
He concluded his piece by saying a different approach is required by Russia. The belligerents have proven time and again to come with schemes that inflict additional cost in lives and material for Russia.
The lesson the enemy is learning is increasing its arsenal of ballistic missiles. Bulgaria, Czech, Poland, Romania, UAE all have Scud in storage. The D variant have ranges of 700km and as North Korea and Iran has shown can be increased substantially.
It would not be difficult to modify these with updated targeting devices and propellants to increase its lethality.
Maybe the strikes in the rear now aimed at nipping resistance in the bud. The TCC centers and personnels which is crucial to the war effort must be completely destroyed.
This should also be extended to individuals, politicians and organisations calling for war.
Complacency can be lethal.
Posted by: Suresh | Jun 29 2025 23:18 utc | 75
maja 40 - I knew that the Serbian 250th AAD Regiment downed an F 117 stealth fighter bomber (the debris of which was sold off to RF) and and F 16, but was not aware of any B2's being dropped during the Serbian-NATO war?
Posted by: tobias cole | Jun 29 2025 23:26 utc | 76
Orson Cart 72 - Exactly, the UK cooked its own goose when it went all in to the green socialist agenda nonsense and closed down all its coal mines, and coal fired power stations, and closed down many North Sea oil and ng wells.....
And now is paying the piper, energy shortages, huge increases in utility rates, and being held hostage by US ng suppliers, all the while refusing cheap and plentiful RF ng supplies.
Nigel is correct - reopen the coal mines of Wales and restart the coal fired power stations - burn coal live better and cheaper and warmer, or freeze in the dark - your choice
Posted by: tobias cole | Jun 29 2025 23:35 utc | 77
Azerbaijan sees an opportunity to grab a piece of Iran ..
That’s the plan. Have the Kurds, the Azeris and the Baluchis all seek “independence” ….
Posted by: Melaleuca | Jun 29 2025 14:51 utc | 16
The Azerbaijani population and land mass of Iran is greater than "Azerbaijan" and partitioned off during the Russia/Persian war.
Maybe its time to reunite? from AI
Iranian Azerbaijan, which refers to the Azerbaijani-populated regions within Iran, is significantly larger in terms of land area than the independent Republic of Azerbaijan. While the Republic of Azerbaijan has an area of 86,600 square kilometers, Iranian Azerbaijan, encompassing several northwestern provinces, covers a much larger territory. Many ethnic Azerbaijanis also live in other parts of Iran, including Tehran and other major cities.
Here's a breakdown:
Republic of Azerbaijan: Approximately 86,600 square kilometers.
Iranian Azerbaijan: While not a single administrative unit, it refers to the northwestern Iranian provinces with large Azerbaijani populations. These provinces include East Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan, Ardabil, and Zanjan.
Ethnic Azerbaijani Population: A significant number of Azerbaijanis reside in Iran, with some estimates placing the population between 15 and 23 million. This is larger than the population of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which is around 10 million.
In essence, the term "Iranian Azerbaijan" refers to a geographical area within Iran, while the Republic of Azerbaijan is a separate, independent nation. The combined area of the Iranian provinces that make up Iranian Azerbaijan is considerably larger than the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Posted by: Suresh | Jun 29 2025 23:35 utc | 78
I knew that the Serbian 250th AAD Regiment downed an F 117 stealth fighter bomber (the debris of which was sold off to RF) and and F 16, but was not aware of any B2's being dropped during the Serbian-NATO war?
Posted by: tobias cole | Jun 29 2025 23:26 utc | 76
I remember seeing footage of some locals dancing on the tail section of that plane in some field. Next thing you knew, the airwaves were crackling with stories that there was some sort of highly toxic coating on the skin of those wobbly goblins and the poor dancing folk were going to get very sick very soon. OoooOkay!
Posted by: frithguild | Jun 29 2025 23:38 utc | 79
Azerbaijan sees an opportunity to grab a piece of Iran ..
That’s the plan. Have the Kurds, the Azeris and the Baluchis all seek “independence” ….
Posted by: Melaleuca | Jun 29 2025 14:51 utc | 16
*** The combined area of the Iranian provinces that make up Iranian Azerbaijan is considerably larger than the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Posted by: Suresh | Jun 29 2025 23:35 utc | 78
Regime change narrative gone MAGA. Very weak in ingenuity and effort - they hate Trump so much they mailed it in.
Posted by: frithguild | Jun 29 2025 23:46 utc | 80
Posted by: frithguild | Jun 29 2025 19:41 utc | 55
You forgot the froggies and the cheese heads. New Amsterdam put up a wall circa 1609 to protect itself and put a street next to it. The name of that street is world famous in financial as well as some other circles.
If the Dutch had financed their American venture as they did for the East Indies this would have been written in Dutch.
Posted by: Acco Hengst | Jun 29 2025 23:54 utc | 81
Azerbaijan sees an opportunity to grab a piece of Iran ..
That’s the plan. Have the Kurds, the Azeris and the Baluchis all seek “independence” ….
Posted by: Melaleuca | Jun 29 2025 14:51 utc | 16
It's an attempt to destabilise Iran. They've failed to provoke an uprising in Tehran, now the West is stirring it up in other areas of the country.
Posted by: HERMIUS | Jun 29 2025 23:54 utc | 82
Suresh | Jun 29 2025 23:35 utc | 78
Which is why Aliyev/Azerbaijan wants that piece of Iran.
Chessboard 101 …. how to double/ triple the size of your shithole country in one or two deft moves.
Azerbaijan signed the Abraham Accords an almost immediately became a pawn in Israel’s plan to attack and carve up Iran.
Color Rev playbook has the northern/azeri region demand “independence”, have unrest break out. Iran has to crack down….USNATO to the rescue to R2P … responsibility to protect poor oppressed Azeris from ruthless Iran…
Israel /US wants access to the Caspian. They have Turkmanistan, but a bigger Azerbaijan that controls the gateway is their chessboard move.
Posted by: Melaleuca | Jun 29 2025 23:57 utc | 83
Ukraine will be forced to hold out for 3-5 more years till NATO is ready to go all in
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jun 29 2025 18:44 utc | 46
No way.
1) The western european leaders are cowards. They will never "go all in". Already they hide the casualties of their soldiers. Like General Georgelin, for instance.
2) They are completely corrupt.
3) Increase of military budgets is the way to make huge profits.
4) They want to be able to retire with the money of their corruption.
Posted by: Naive | Jun 29 2025 20:38 utc | 64
--------------------------------------------------------
We have had long conversations about the endurance of the bear before.
Their military and their economy is still transforming itself, all for the better. For the dramatic econ changes check in with karlof1 on his substack.
For the military part: 'the bear don't quit.'
Posted by: Acco Hengst | Jun 30 2025 0:03 utc | 84
We're past "The Battle of the Bulge" (Kursk) and Volkssturm. The fat lady's just offstage and running scales.
Posted by: TJandTheBear | Jun 29 2025 19:59 utc | 57
-------------------------------------------------------------
Great line and a most appropriate take away.
Thanks, is that to both of you? The Irish can refer to 'himself,' which I found most amusing. The 'Bear' reference is intriguing.
Posted by: Acco Hengst | Jun 30 2025 0:10 utc | 85
Acco Hengst | Jun 30 2025 0:03 utc | 84--
Thanks for the promo! I posted a very long reply on the "EAEU Summit Presser" thread explaining why Russia's Central Bank isn't involved in Russia's economic transformation, which is a point that some just don't seem to be capable of understanding. Yes, you must stay current with the happenings of Russia's government or else you become misinformed. And of course, that applies to so-called Western economic experts who only watch the RCB's high prime rate and conclude Russia can't reasonably finance anything. Surprise!! Russia uses its Treasury like a bank and directly finances development via its budget and extra-budgetary devices, all of which are explained in the economic government meetings I report about but few people--only a few thousand--read.
Color rev Serbia= ACTION!
Anti Vucic activists have set up blockades across the city…..
Declaration that Vucic govt is illegitimate…..
§|~ Starting a bingo card to call all the classic color rev catchphrases and agi-prop …
Posted by: Melaleuca | Jun 30 2025 1:02 utc | 87
Israel /US wants access to the Caspian. They have Turkmanistan,
NO WAY!
Türkiye 🇹🇷 First … Türkiye 🇹🇷 First ‼️
They would need to overthrow Erdogan and create chaos there first.
Erdogan was the Victor over Assad and Iran in Syria … has a strong terrorist base now … pacifying the Kurds … watch how the oil flows … Caspian Sea and Central Asea … critical for China and Russia … 😊
You forgot the froggies and the cheese heads. New Amsterdam put up a wall circa 1609 to protect itself and put a street next to it. The name of that street is world famous in financial as well as some other circles. ***
Posted by: Acco Hengst | Jun 29 2025 23:54 utc | 81
You are right about Dutch. Most NJ original property owners (if you search a title back far enough you will see) and many NJ and NY City place names are Dutch. The open mindedness and discipline are very strong influences in this area - NY City/NJ is an entepreneurship and creative national powerhouse. However, this Dutch influence doesn't translate to a group numerically large enough to effect a coalition.
As far as froggies, the Quebecios are pretty confined to Canada. The US dodged that bullet in 1812.
Posted by: frithguild | Jun 30 2025 1:51 utc | 89
Caspian Sea and Central Asea … critical for China and Russia … 😊
Posted by: Oui | Jun 30 2025 1:23 utc | 88
§|~ which is why Azerbaijan is “in play”.
Azerbaijan takes northern Iran.. doubles/triples in size, … becomes a counterweight to Erdogan.. is an Israeli controlled junkyard dog …
It was from Baku that Conoco unleased the color rev attempt on Kazakhstan (and there’s been more rumblings there again recently….)
Posted by: Melaleuca | Jun 30 2025 1:59 utc | 90
@Melaleuca | Sun, 29 Jun 2025 23:57:00 GMT | 83
Israel /US wants access to the Caspian. They have Turkmanistan,
No they don't. No one "has" Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan is neutral. In fact its permanent neutrality is enshrined by the UN.
Posted by: James M. | Jun 30 2025 2:04 utc | 91
@Genesiss | Sun, 29 Jun 2025 17:55:00 GMT | 37
The Israeli F35s were strictly prohibited from coming close to the Iranian border because it was never certain whether all of the Iranian ADs were inactive... F35s were also not allowed over Syrian airspace; the risk of an S300 still functioning was probably too great.Regarding the alleged B2s... even if they were in the airspace, Iran is NOT rolling out the red carpet for these old machines!
Don't forget, five B2s were lost in the war over Serbia, and the defense technology hasn't deteriorated since then.
Talking out your ass here. Trolling or stupidity writ large, take your pick.
Posted by: James M. | Jun 30 2025 2:06 utc | 92
Turkmenistan is neutral. In fact its permanent neutrality is enshrined by the UN.
Posted by: James M. | Jun 30 2025 2:04 utc | 91
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Oh sweet summer child.
Genocide is also opposed by the UN.
How is that going?
Attacking a peaceful country is also opposed by the UN.
What happened to Iran?
The Minsk Accords were approved by the UN Security Council. That didn't do much.
The only law which is followed is the one enforced with power. How many divisions of soldiers does the UN have?
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jun 30 2025 2:11 utc | 93
France and the EU have put their support behind Armenian in conflict w Azerbaijan.
https://www.institutmontaigne.org/en/expressions/azerbaijans-information-warfare-against-france
The perpetual horizon: Armenia, Azerbaijan and prospects for peace
https://ecfr.eu/article/the-perpetual-horizon-armenia-azerbaijan-and-prospects-for-peace/
The Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drone has become an important part of modern warfare
https://theworld.org/stories/2023/04/12/turkish-made-drone-continues-cause-tension-armenia
Turkmenistan is neutral. In fact its permanent neutrality is enshrined by the UN.
Posted by: James M. | Jun 30 2025 2:04 utc | 91
Ok. Thanks for playing….
For any other student of geopolitics 101 I’d suggest a summer catch up course…
But, for you, nah. Carry on….
Posted by: Melaleuca | Jun 30 2025 2:30 utc | 95
Lavrov’s diplomacy
▪️Lavrov Reaffirms Strategic Ties with Kazakhstan
▪️Lavrov arrives in Turkmenistan on official visit 4 days ago
▪️Lavrov is on an official visit to Kyrgyzstan on June 29-30
Your link also says:
{Azerbaijan} has intensified its cooperation with Israel in energy, but also in defence and intelligence: Israel was the source of 69% of all Azerbaijani arms purchases between 2016 and 2020, and Israeli support likely played a major role in the 2020 and 2023 wars.
These “deepening ties” saw Azerbaijan open its air space for Israeli drone attacks on Iran.
Q: Why would Azerbaijan do that… what’s in it for them?
A: The chance to agitate in Iran’s northern Azerbaijani-identifying region. Azeri ambition is to seize a bit -or all- of that.
Israel would (in this iteration of the Great Game) support Azeri ambition because a bigger stronger Azerbaijan is a counterweight to Erdogan/Turkiye.
Later, -maybe much later- , Israel can come back and whack Azerbaijan.
——
Nice for Lavrov to pop by for a nice chat. Doesn’t mean the Great Game ever ceases …
Posted by: Melaleuca | Jun 30 2025 3:23 utc | 97
Sorry…online half the comment posted…
———-
Oui | Jun 30 2025 2:19 utc | 94
Thanks for the links.
They are interesting… but the geopolitical game has moved forward… this link says: “Azerbaijan is *considering* joining the Abraham Accords.”
Well, Azerbaijan *did* join, and that precipitated a new alliance with Israel.
More than an “alliance”. Azerbaijan has been captured.
The perpetual horizon: Armenia, Azerbaijan and prospects for peace
https://ecfr.eu/article/the-perpetual-horizon-armenia-azerbaijan-and-prospects-for-peace/
Your link also says:
{Azerbaijan} has intensified its cooperation with Israel in energy, but also in defence and intelligence: Israel was the source of 69% of all Azerbaijani arms purchases between 2016 and 2020, and Israeli support likely played a major role in the 2020 and 2023 wars.
These “deepening ties” saw Azerbaijan open its air space for Israeli drone attacks on Iran.
Q: Why would Azerbaijan do that… what’s in it for them?
A: The chance to agitate in Iran’s northern Azerbaijani-identifying region. Azeri ambition is to seize a bit -or all- of that.
Israel would (in this iteration of the Great Game) support Azeri ambition because a bigger stronger Azerbaijan is a counterweight to Erdogan/Turkiye.
Later, -maybe much later- , Israel can come back and whack Azerbaijan
Posted by: Melaleuca | Jun 30 2025 3:24 utc | 98
Posted by: 1JZ | Jun 30 2025 3:26 utc | 99
Nice story bro, as they say. Was that drivel written by AI?
Posted by: acementhead | Jun 30 2025 3:40 utc | 99
Central Asia is collectively booming economically perhaps for the first time ever. One of the initiatives launched by Russia in tandem with the Stans is the construction of schools taught bilingually with the emphasis on Russian and Russian culture to solve the issues around both guest workers and immigration. I applaud this effort as it's the only way to solve the issue. The Stans's good times is increasing the birth rate. What was never put into practice during Russian Empire or Soviet times is now being done. The Stans are strong enough to stand on their own and are working with Russia to eliminate the semi-colonial relationship that's existed between them since Russia gained control. The last vestiges of the Soviet Era have mostly died away or retired from the scene, and the possibility of additional Islamic Republics is very possible. Also recall that Pakistan is also a Stan along with Afghanistan. There's an opportunity for the flowering of a different political Islam along with the escalating economic wellbeing, which is in-tune with Islamic teachings.
This strengthening is part of Russia's plan for its future security and is the general policy for the entire near-abroad. Pashinyan's idiocy in Armenia has provoked a resistance and he ought to be replaced in next year's election. Lots or attention is paid to that entire group of nations. I expect Zakharova's next briefing to feature several of them, Armenia most certainly.
The comments to this entry are closed.
It certainly was a busy night:
https://news-pravda.com/world/2025/06/29/1477868.htmlIn many video clips there is no sign of air defence, the missiles or drones fly in unmolested.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jun 29 2025 12:54 utc | 1