News & views related to the war in Ukraine …
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July 13, 2025
Ukraine Open Thread 2025-156
Comments
Posted by: Nemessis | Jul 14 2025 5:58 utc | 92
Seconded. But why August?
Posted by: Cherrycoke | Jul 14 2025 7:26 utc | 101
Almost everything is just a show and had to be pushed through beforehand to create panic…
Posted by: Nemesiss | Jul 14 2025 6:41 utc | 95
The “show” is in the scale of the things they announce. That is Nato internal propaganda, “Kiyiiyv in 3 days” type. But generally speaking, they’ve kept the script going perfectly since the 90s, with nothing hidden and without opposition from Russia. All Nato expansions, more and more nukes in Europe, biolabs, sanctions and today terrorism were 100% “approved” by Russia.
Russia has been a simple spectator, occasionally using the famous “they tricked me” story then going back to sleep. They are simply not believable today when they complain. According to Shoigu the little smo must end this year. Which means regardless of results. He knows so well the date because he’s clairvoyant or it’s a simple show?
Posted by: rk | Jul 14 2025 7:35 utc | 102
“You just watch. In the coming days and weeks, there’s gonna be a massive effort to get Putin to the table’ by forceful means…”
Posted by: JohnGilberts | Jul 14 2025 6:06 utc | 94
And just like all the other announcements it will have a very short life cycle and be replaced by more attention seeking bull excrement and wind backs again. Trump, Graham and Blumenthal are about as Loony Tunes as you can get. Or is it the Three Stooges?
It’s the United States of Erraticism these days.
Posted by: George | Jul 14 2025 8:08 utc | 103
Posted by: rk | Jul 14 2025 7:35 utc | 102
“According to Shoigu the little smo must end this year. Which means regardless of results.”
Do you have any proof of this statement?
Two years ago Shoigu announced armament procurement plans until 2025, IF the military objectives were achieved by this time.
Not what you claim, which is more of the propaganda BS you serve up…
Just my €0.02…
Posted by: Richard Head | Jul 14 2025 8:11 utc | 104
I’ve never understood the obsession with Kursk as (a) a trap or (b) an RF failure. Rationally, it was neither. It’s a very long border, RF could not post SMO forces along it to resist an incursion without weakening other salients, so it posted reserves which are allowed to fight only on RF land. This was never expected to stop a major attack plan by Ukr, but it could slow them down and provide a tripwire. CIA/MI6 clearly thought they had a weak point for a massive attack, but even then they couldn’t reach anything strategic. The “trap” aspect was a fringe benefit – the entire invasion was a killing field from the moment it was stopped short of the NPP.
On the question of sea power vs land power, isn’t this obsolete? The UK is unable to exert any force on the water except to frighten the odd trawler. RF submarine tech is at least equivalent to US. US naval force projection is very impressive until it meets serious opposition from desert tribesmen. The failure of Western naval power is demonstrated by its need to use sabotage to sink RF contracted shipping. If it tried the old-fashioned way, it’s cruisers etc. would be blown out of the water.
“Sea powers” then must become air powers, and the equation is that it’s cheaper and more politically convenient to hire a foreign army than to move yours to the target area. Hence the need for proxies. The US is completely unable to deploy a fully-trained fighting force sufficient to take on RF, China or anything much larger than Haiti. But there are lots of greedy warlords/politicians with the ability to contract for it. US policy going back to Battista and a very long list since. If you print the cash, it’s a lot cheaper to hire locally than to move your army.
Will Graham’s 500% plan work? No. I suspect Trump is playing political Aikido. It was too politically expensive to stop Graham in Congress and Senate, so allow the scheme to proceed unopposed with minimum Trumpian effort. When it becomes a chaotic liability, distance yourself and let Graham take the hit.
A more long-term consideration is simply that the collective West wages war for financial gain, and engages with military suppliers on a for-profit basis. Anyone who has worked in that sector knows how much wastage there is and the total lack of engineering initiative. The defence sector is not primarily concerned with survival. Survival-oriented defence takes risks. In Britain during WWII, that was projects like the Mosquito, which was unpredictable engineering genius. US milspec does not do engineering genius. RF does with projects like oreshnik, because it is survival-oriented.
Posted by: Jorge | Jul 14 2025 8:30 utc | 105
“Trump to wield [magic] ‘sledgehammer’ against Russia – Lindsey Graham”
Yeah we’ve heard it over and over again. That’s today, what about tomorrow?
Posted by: George | Jul 14 2025 8:39 utc | 106
@Jorge | Mon, 14 Jul 2025 08:30:00 GMT | 105
On the question of sea power vs land power, isn’t this obsolete?
How much of the world’s commerce travels by sea vs. air? That is your answer to whether sea power is “obsolete”. The UK relies on the US to control the commons. The real source of American power is, or has been, its blue water navy. There are more reasons than Taiwan that China modernized the PLAN.
Posted by: James M. | Jul 14 2025 8:40 utc | 107
Posted by: Nooneuknow | Jul 14 2025 4:25 utc | 79
Yes the nukes may not work, but not being a gambler I would not take the risk if i were in charge of Russia.
Not sure I can grasp the relevance of naval versus land power wars 2,500 years ago. The naval vessels were triremes FFS.
My point was that Russia has some naval deficiencies. That should be bloody obvious. i gather they are seriously good as submarines and also frigates for riverine warfare, but open sea surface vessels no. Mind you possibly modern technology has made those obsolete. However again bit of a gamble.
Posted by: Doctor Eleven | Jul 14 2025 4:21 utc | 78
Hey mate to call me of all people a NATO type is absurd. My family regard me as a Putin worshiper (actually he is rather hot).I just find the blindness of many unhelpful. If you refuse to recognise a mistake then you are bound to repeat it.
Posted by: watcher | Jul 14 2025 8:51 utc | 108
Posted by: Jorge | Jul 14 2025 8:30 utc | 105
I do not really disagree. My gut feel is that someone did not do surveillance well enough and the NATO forces snuck through. This seems to be a problem. Of course one they were in Russia rapidly did convert to a trap/slaughter house, but that was they idiocy of NATO.
Posted by: watcher | Jul 14 2025 8:58 utc | 109
China’s FM Wang Yi, in a meeting with EU repeated what the Chinese representative at the UN said that if China really provided military assistance to Russia the SMO would have long been over.
Use a browser with translation.
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/ipYO90bCikSjkNIntXBVKA
https://i.imgur.com/gn1H22m.jpeg
Posted by: Surferket | Jul 14 2025 8:59 utc | 110
modern western nazism and its ugly face:
💬 “They tried to re-educate us”: a resident of Genichesk (Kherson region) told about years of life under pressure from Ukrainian nationalists
Local resident and teacher Larisa Dobrolyubova told about systematic pressure on the Russian-speaking population of the Kherson region after the events of 2014.
Nationalism was systematically implanted. Thus, propaganda events were regularly held in the local House of Culture after the Maidan, including the mythologization of the “heavenly hundred”.
It was forbidden to call May 9 “Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War”. The interpretation was introduced that “the Russians themselves provoked the war”.
Nationalists from the western regions of Ukraine came to the city en masse and staged provocations in stores with demands to be served exclusively in Ukrainian.
Posted by: Justpassinby | Jul 14 2025 9:24 utc | 111
Russia adds a British surveillance drone to its growing NATO trophy stash — intercepted, soft-landed, and captured intact for intel
Footage from Sputnik
https://t.me/rtnews/102869
Posted by: Norwegian | Jul 14 2025 9:31 utc | 112
“Democracy” in the USA is a complete joke.
Trump is elected on a platform of winding down the Ukraine war.
Less than 6 months into his term he hands all decisions on Ukraine to fanatical Russophobe warmonger Lindsay Graham.
Voters will fully understand how much their votes are respected.
As the Duran say, now this war is Trump’s own war and the humiliating defeat will be his alone.
How are the US going to make armaments without rare earths from China?
(They’re not.)
Posted by: Andrew Sarchus | Jul 14 2025 10:01 utc | 113
“War is the continuation of politics by other means” … as long as you can afford those means. “Speak slowly and carry a big stick” only works as long as others can’t afford a bigger stick than yours. It would have fatally happen anyway, it’s easy to rule over ruins and barrens lands, much less so to rule over a bunch of fortress with high walls.
People like Graham and DJT that lives in a “Golden age Lalaland” are actually helping BRICS to fulfill their “modus vivendi” quicker by providing them a reason to do so. All the US proxies are slowly realizing the US won’t hesitate to sacrifice them on the altar of perceived domination and the “containment policy” is backfiring and will continue to do so.
US are containing themselves and giving a valuable lesson to the world doing so. Pursuing individual power and material richness for itself are one of the best path to suicide a country.
Posted by: Hiro Masamune | Jul 14 2025 10:05 utc | 114
The number 30.000 is all over german leitmedien. 30.000 North Korean soldiers are expected to take part in an alleged mega offensive in late summer. While anything these media claim should be viewed with utmost suspicion and any contrarian view will be correct most of the time, in this case I do believe the claims. My main argument being (and has been since the beginning of the SMO) that it makes sense, it has a lot of plausibilty. A win-win, where Russia gets support and NK gets resources and battle experience. So my money is on this being real.
I wish Afghanistan would join as well, they have lots of fighters and also need russian resources. Plenty of african fighters too, who would love to make some money in the SMO. Well, maybe in time…
Posted by: Hamburger | Jul 14 2025 11:28 utc | 115
The US gets to degrade Russia’s economy and military by selling their weapons to Ukraine and not having a single soldier in danger.
Pretty damn good for them. Putin FAFO’d a bit too hard.
Posted by: rebezil | Jul 14 2025 11:44 utc | 116
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jul 13 2025 20:20 utc | 34
People will become insane with moral outrage the more they think that right wing populism is just more art laffer trickle down on steriods.
It doesn’t work and will make things worse then who does the electorate vote for ?
The MUSK trickle down scam?
This will take decades to play out but Americans will be even more furious.
Posted by: Sun Of Alabama | Jul 14 2025 11:46 utc | 117
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Jul 13 2025 20:20 utc | 34
Once the right wing populist scam is exposed for what it is.
It’s only a matter of time before people start looking at this
https://billmitchell.org/blog/?p=62659
China will lead the way.
Posted by: Sun Of Alabama | Jul 14 2025 11:49 utc | 118
The western borders of Ukraine are covered with barbed wire, drones patrol the sky, and video cameras on every pole monitor violators.
“So that not a single Ukrainian escapes from this slavery and lawlessness,” an eyewitness comments on the situation.
https://t.me/European_dissident/70850
Posted by: Norwegian | Jul 14 2025 11:57 utc | 119
Putin told the US President that he would “make new efforts over the next 60 days to occupy territories up to the administrative boundaries of regions where Russia holds significant positions.” According to sources,
Posted by: Nemesiss | Jul 14 2025 6:55 utc | 96
Hence the “paint by numbers” I’ve bee mentioning.
————————-
The real source of American power is, or has been, its blue water navy. There are more reasons than Taiwan that China modernized the PLAN.
Posted by: James M. | Jul 14 2025 8:40 utc | 107
Hence the suicidal nature of all the talk of baltics using EEZ as new limit.
Between china and idonesia the west would be pretty much locked out of east asia
—————
Meanwhile anonymous memorial hour
DS gives 21.3 km²
For a 1.220 casualties day (and a couple of ADs, missed that detail before)
Posted by: Newbie | Jul 14 2025 11:57 utc | 120
“The US gets to degrade Russia’s economy and military by selling their weapons to Ukraine and not having a single soldier in danger.
”
Pretty damn good for them. Putin FAFO’d a bit too hard.
Posted by: rebezil | Jul 14 2025 11:44 utc | 116
I disagree.
After 3 years of war and sanctions Russian’s economy has grown faster than any Western economy.
Russia is slowly, inexorably bleeding the West economically (as well as sucking up all the West’s military equipment inventory) while Russia’s army become more proficient by experience as well as figuring out new improved methods (drones, 3-6 formations, EW etc.) of military tactics that one can only learn from actually ‘being at war’; such that Russia’s military-I mean army-is the best most efficient is the world.
Finally, the economic bounty of acquiring the Donbass (lithium, iron ore, coal, sunflower oil et al) is a multi trillion conquest that dwarfs the loss of Russian soldiers.
Posted by: canuk | Jul 14 2025 12:13 utc | 121
Posted by: rebezil | Jul 14 2025 11:44 utc | 116
It appears that they are running out of ammo and incapable of restore warehouses.
Meanwhile Ukraine appears to be loosing manpower faster than they could replenish.
Posted by: Mario | Jul 14 2025 12:14 utc | 122
Posted by: Newbie | Jul 14 2025 11:57 utc | 120
Well Wyatt at DPA poses a threat the Anonymous’s sanity. He declares 35.6 kmx2. Finally after four months he declares Toretsk Russian
Posted by: watcher | Jul 14 2025 12:16 utc | 123
Posted by: Nooneuknow | Jul 14 2025 4:45 utc | 85
“That works for me, too. Most folk haven’t yet considered that perhaps the communion–eat the body, drink the blood, celebrate the murder–is a satanic ritual, in and of itself.”
You aren’t the first person to be offended by Jesus and you won’t be the last. Here is what he said:
So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.(John 6:53&54)
When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”(John 6:60-65)
After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”(John 6:66-69)
Posted by: Paranaense | Jul 14 2025 12:19 utc | 124
really weird that Lavrov Rubio met re ently to kind of keep things going whateverthey are between Ruszia -USA (what is the point…agreeto disagree? ) yet now “President”Lyndsey seems to have DT shuffled of to the back room…Germany yesterday announced supporting(but notTaurus but twin brother) long range missiles heading to Russia and today z confirms plans in place to use them just as strangely enough Witkoff us visiting for a week a mi ion deputy minister in Ukraine says no pkint in Astana peace negotiations it is finished as the Rusdians wanted to bureaucratise it inorder to delay just like they did at the endless fruitless Minsk meetings(godhowdo you deal with these debying faschists?)…Steenmeir in Germany says there should be conscription because “this is a war”.
DT confirms USA selling Patriot asit is business so Europe can giveto Ukraine but Orban is horrified that EU will impose loans on countries to pay for such as this, while USA seemsto think it can also appropiate russian funds and interest….France expanding accelerating military budgets as peace with Russia can only come through confrontation and in partnership with UK and UK has partnered with Germany, coalition of the willing met the other day in London first time attendance with Sen Lyndsey and “vicepresident” Blumenthal stessing how the righteous z did actually agree to a full ceasefire, 40b minimum for Ukraine military support, accelerating support, also to further support and strengthen Ukraine economy and resore food security, .
Russia mustpay restitution, further options to use seized assets etc etc.
A whole lotta stuff going on …feels like some massed attack in all but name…..in line with the Germanic plan for war by 2029.
Posted by: Jo | Jul 14 2025 12:24 utc | 125
Hamburger@115……pretty obvious, had NK not sent Russia a bunch of Mercs, the Russians would still be hiding in a Kursk oil pipe. Odd with the huge number of new recruits Russia has every month…..why do the need NK soldiers, or African for that matter? Especially as they have super low KIA.
Cheers M
….I could see if the Russian WIA is much higher than tabulated at MOA, my personnel belief, then yes, Russia would need foreign help….. lots, even from Africa…..although in Multi National Combined Arms language is always an issue, perhaps AI picks up the slack…
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Jul 14 2025 12:26 utc | 126
oh and Zalusky asks for all anything useful the old missiles from USA near expiry date as it saves USA costs of decommisioning.
Posted by: Jo | Jul 14 2025 12:27 utc | 127
Another way to look at this stage of the SMO is that the Nth Korean leadership is well impressed with the shape their soldiers came back from Kursk in, that the amerikan media now reckons N Korea (correctly known as Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) want to increase their deployment by an additional 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers.
I dunno how correct that is as cnn frequently hang onto the wrong end of any stick, but one thing it tells us is that they’re getting worried in DC lest the battle-hardened boys from the north get in shape to push amerika all the way south into the sea. Korea re-uniting under the right circumstances would be a go.
The penny has dropped in a coupla obscure corners of the mic and now some of those arses who live off dim and/or rethug so-called think tanks are likely lookin for an exit before trouble becomes too apparent.
See, the swamp drains itself when a bigger bloke with a bigger stick fronts.
Posted by: Debsisdead | Jul 14 2025 12:35 utc | 128
Hmm, Lindsey Graham…he must be the leader of the free world now. Trump following his lead, along with his wingman, Sid Blumenthal.
What if…? Trump flips the switch the other way? Drops Ukraine like a hot rock. Cozies up to Russia more. Dumps Bibi and Israel. Turns tail and goes back to unleashing the Epstein affairs, and others ongoing. (Who took over the Epstein grift? You don’t think it just went away?)
Backs off on Tariffs, takes a positive stance on dealing with Russia and China.
Yuge!! All this war stuff has got to end, Now!! Peace through economic cooperation, not military coercion. Send the banker’s a counterfeit note that shuts them down.
Buy calls, Sell puts. Markets will go up 10-20% in a week.
Well, dreams…not….
Posted by: Norsk Borscht | Jul 14 2025 12:41 utc | 129
First fresh daily news courtesy of tass
1.105 casualties and full daily update on link
https://tass.com/politics/1989251
Posted by: Newbie | Jul 14 2025 12:41 utc | 130
The US wanted to impose a cost on Russia, intended to cause collapse and leading to change of regime.
It seems like so far it is have something like the reverse affect – costs and regime change moreso on the west.
Given that the west refuses to quit while they are behind, I think the plan would be to draw them in deeper and cause the final collapse of the western system. I dont think that Russia is alone in pursuing this plan.
An unpleasant and dangerous business and I sense Russia look on this prospect with some regret.
Well the Lindsay/Trump shared leadership seems the perfect opponent for this objective.
Posted by: jared | Jul 14 2025 12:58 utc | 131
Posted by: James M. | Jul 14 2025 8:40 utc | 107
The real source of American power is, or has been, its blue water navy. There are more reasons than Taiwan that China modernized the PLAN.
An absolutely correct observation.
The rapid rise in the economic power of the PRC is primarily due to large volumes of maritime trade -both Imports and exports-to and from the large ports on the East coast of China. Preservation of this trade is existential and the PRC will go to great lengths to counter any efforts by hostile nations to blockade these ports or to otherwise damage commercial maritime activity. Hence China’s build up of a large and modern navy (both surface and submarine), as well as an increasingly capable naval air force should be no surprise to anyone.
The key to China’s maritime security is not so much the ports themselves but the whole area of the South China and East China seas. If China does not control it exclusively it cannot let any other power exercise significant control there either, and certainly not the US hegemony.
I think a very serious clash between the PRC and the West here is inevitable and will be primarily a very intense naval and air war. It will be initiated by an incident manufactured by one or more western “alphabet agencies” which have a lot of experience here-beginning with the opium wars if you like.
Although Taiwan would be very useful to the PRC in this fight, a Chinese invasion is unlikely to be the initial “flash point for the start of hostilities. Actually, if the PRC prevails in the South China sea (as I suspect it will) then Taiwan will automatically revert to the PRC, probably with some sensible autonomous governing structure.
I do not think that conventional ground warfare will be very significant unless fighting spreads to the Philippines or the US tries an amphibious landing on Taiwan- to make a dramatic point.
Posted by: Barrel Brown | Jul 14 2025 13:07 utc | 132
Odd with the huge number of new recruits Russia has every month…..why do the need NK soldiers, or African for that matter? Especially as they have super low KIA.
….I could see if the Russian WIA is much higher than tabulated at MOA
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Jul 14 2025 12:26 utc | 126
I’ll explain really slow as if you suffered from (mild) retardation
1. RF is almost recruiting half of the potential levée, that’s a lot of young men you wouldn’t want to waste. Need them now , but mostly need them latter
2. Don’t know what you assume is the MoA assessment of RF casualties, I think I’m one of the few (if not the only one) who touches that subject beyond laughing at western estimates .
Happened to do so recently
Can see the details here
https://www.moonofalabama.org/2025/07/ukraine-open-thread-2025-153.html?cid=6a00d8341c640e53ef02e86105a594200d#comment-6a00d8341c640e53ef02e86105a594200d
And here
https://www.moonofalabama.org/2025/07/ukraine-open-thread-2025-153.html?cid=6a00d8341c640e53ef02e86105a6b3200d#comment-6a00d8341c640e53ef02e86105a6b3200d
Just to give you the gist of it
RF lost to death, by 30.06.2025 (probably) 215.000 soldiers
(While AFU lost 1.265.000-1.410.000)
In a long war maimed beyond repair (for military purposes) is 1-1.1 of killed
So RF lost 430.000 to 450.000 soldiers and AFU 2.500.000 to 3.000.0000
Enough to warrant care and spare as many as possible.
3. Kursk was a school. Tried and tested (particularly RF marines) could teach troops who couldn’t/shouldn’t operate in SMO territory
a) RF Conscripts
b) RF allies (NK soldiers)
4. Interoperability, NK and RF must learn how to fight together , tomorrow they will
Good enough?
Posted by: Newbie | Jul 14 2025 13:09 utc | 133
Posted by: watcher | Jul 14 2025 1:43 utc | 76
Yes I grasp geography. You do not.
Strawman fallacy. You lost.
Russia has excellent ground based weapons and missile technology. So do other nations (eg Iran) and probably the USA (or allies) will start to develop them too (possibly by theft).
Other countries are many years away to have the level of the Russian weapons. It means that you lie.
It is well placed for a land war but NOT if there is a super alliance against them eg all of NATO which now includes Scandinavia and the Balkans, plus Japan etc. If is underbelly fails it is in trouble (So it will come to the aid of Iran if the US looks likely to go there – It has no choice). It does NOT have a large population for a land army, hence the NK troops are a great idea.
A land war? With whom? If, if, if, if, if… If you propose stupid ideas, there is nothing anyone can do for you.
I am tired of the bizarre cope that Kursk was a brilliant trap. It was a stuff up big time. No lipstick on the pig please. Russia has handled it quite well but the pretense it was some sort of clever move is honestly just silly.
Yes, tiredness is a big problem. Usually the consequences are that you cannot think right. The trap worked quite well. Since that time, the ukronazi army is broken. You can do nothing against that fact.
It has excellent air defences but it does not have air superiority. This may not matter because they have opted for long range missiles instead, but it is still limiting.
You know nothing about air superiority. You only repeat what the nafo sites claim.
Its navy is an unknown quantity and frankly the Black sea fleet have performed dismally. Indeed one has to suspect treachery. Quite possible since many in the fleet swapped allegiance from Ukraine, but who knows in a full on war where their hearts lie. Navies are still needed to get to the USA in any meaningful way.
Lots of fallacies and wishful thinking. Ships are sitting duck.
Yes Russia could probably pummel USA from a distance but this would never be enough to actually destroy them.
And you pretend to be a Putin fan? You are a liar. A first strike by Russia will not destroy the yankeeland, but all foreign bases at the same time.
At the end of the day Russia would need a land army to control the enraged USA. NK or China may supply the manpower but Russia cannot. How does a land army get there. (Perhaps via Canada – seems funny but I am not entirely joking).
You are one war behind. Like most westerners who do not understand anything at what is happening right now.
Then we come to nukes. The reality is that although Russia and Russians would be well placed to survive a nuclear holocaust, they would lose their two main cities Moscow and St Petersburg, since even if their air defences stop 90% of the nukes 10/100 would still destroy the cities. Sure it is probable (not certain) that Russian return fire would take out all US cities, leaving a totally disabled population, but it would still leave Russia in a terrible mess too and most of the survivors would need to relocate.
Only your fantasy. As you don’t even know what will happen tomorrow. As soon as Russia will detect ballistic missiles sent to its territory it will return fire and hit the agressors sooner, before any enemy’s missile will flow over Russia. And be intercepted over foreign territory. The western countries would commit suicide and they know it.
You are a concern troll. And a liar when you pretend to be a Putin or Russian fan.
Posted by: Naive | Jul 14 2025 13:14 utc | 134
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Jul 14 2025 12:26 utc | 126
Who cares about the personnel belief of an enemy of Russia?
Here on MoA, nobody except the trolls and other liars.
Posted by: Naive | Jul 14 2025 13:26 utc | 135
Some people do not know what will happen tomorrow, others live in the future, been there, done that…..be nice when they came back if they’d had out some winning lotta numbers….it’s the least they could do……
Cheers M
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Jul 14 2025 13:29 utc | 136
Trump said the United States will be sending Patriot missiles to Ukraine while describing Russian President Vladimir Putin as a leader who “talks nice, and then he bombs everybody in the evening.”
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-says-us-send-patriot-missiles-ukraine-adds-putin-talks-nice-he-bombs-everybody
Posted by: JB | Jul 14 2025 13:29 utc | 137
Posted by: Paranaense | Jul 14 2025 12:19 utc | 124
For your education:
But bring those enemies of mine who didn’t want me to reign over them here, and kill them before me.
The above translation is not quite correct. Correct is:
But bring those enemies of mine who didn’t want me to reign over them here, and slaughter them before me.
Posted by: Naive | Jul 14 2025 13:32 utc | 138
Naive@135…it’s…..no one…..sorry for rattling your cage …it is early here….
Cheers M
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Jul 14 2025 13:39 utc | 139
Posted by: Richard Head | Jul 14 2025 8:11 utc | 104
Do not believe anything rk says… He is not on the side of Russia to say the least.
Posted by: Naive | Jul 14 2025 13:41 utc | 140
Posted by: Doctor Eleven | Jul 14 2025 4:21 utc | 78
Posted by: Nooneuknow | Jul 14 2025 4:25 utc | 79
Thanks for your comments, both of you!
Posted by: Naive | Jul 14 2025 13:51 utc | 141
Not satisfaction, but more power; not peace at all, but war; not virtue, but efficiency (virtue in Renaissance style, virtù, morality-free virtue)
Let the weak and the wrongdoers perish: the first sentence of our human love. And you should also help them with that.
By enlisting in the ukronazi army people with deficiencies and sending them to the killing fields, the ukronazis are applying that policy full strength. Very efficient indeed.
Posted by: Naive | Jul 14 2025 13:58 utc | 142
Russian President Vladimir Putin as a leader who “talks nice, and then he bombs everybody in the evening.”
Posted by: JB | Jul 14 2025 13:29 utc | 137
Many projection… much WoW
Posted by: Newbie | Jul 14 2025 14:09 utc | 143
Obviously the AFU should be commended for speed and poise on their route… retreat
Posted by: Newbie | Jul 13 2025 13:32 utc | 2
——————————————-
Thank you, young man, for doing such a fine job of keeping score.
Posted by: Acco Hengst | Jul 14 2025 14:20 utc | 144
Trump said the United States will be sending Patriot missiles to Ukraine while describing Russian President Vladimir Putin as a leader who “talks nice, and then he bombs everybody in the evening”
Posted by: JB | Jul 14 2025 13:29 utc | 137
A common misconception … Putin talks politely because he feels trash talk and thuggery are beneath his status (he has people for that, when necessary) but in no way should politeness be confused with niceness.
Putin never, ever calls up just to be nice a d if this subtlety is lost on Trump then he needs better advisors.
Posted by: Tel | Jul 14 2025 14:32 utc | 145
Thank you, young man, for doing such a fine job of keeping score.
Posted by: Acco Hengst | Jul 14 2025 14:20 utc | 144
Welcome, but not as young as that. Old enough to clearly remember the last iteration of this novel (circa 1979-1980), young enough to be anti-soviet back then 🙂
P.S. for any others who might find ground to criticize the last part, situation was quite different (as felt in the west, I know, insensitive to the ROW etc, but par for the course back then), and apart from changes for the worse in the west, in almost half a century one has time to learn and view things from other perspectives.
Posted by: Newbie | Jul 14 2025 14:55 utc | 146
3. Kursk was a school. Tried and tested (particularly RF marines) could teach troops who couldn’t/shouldn’t operate in SMO territory
a) RF Conscripts
b) RF allies (NK soldiers)
4. Interoperability, NK and RF must learn how to fight together , tomorrow they will
Good enough?
Posted by: Newbie | Jul 14 2025 13:09 utc | 133
.
.
Correct!
The smart guys here keep forgetting that Kursk is pure Russian territory…what does that mean according to the Russian Constitution?
Conscripts, i.e., the legal Russian army, may only be deployed on Russian territory!
Officially, not a single unit of the LEGAL Russian army is engaged in combat operations in the New Russian Lands.
You all assume that these territories are now Russian territory. THAT IS WRONG! Donetsk and Luhansk are now independent but FOREIGN territories that are allies of Russia but have their own regional governments and general staffs and provide their own armies! The magic word “independent” and not Russian territory! When will many people here understand that? That’s why it was a huge mistake and wrong thinking to invade Kursk with the insane justification of getting Putin to withdraw troops from the Donetsk front. Nonsense, he didn’t need it, since he could freely deploy the regular Roote Army around Kurk. He just had to support them with experienced troops to somewhat minimize losses, because these conscripts were facing experienced mercenaries and needed experienced fighters to learn. The North Koreans should learn the same, a lesson that no South Korean, not even 85% of American soldiers, had! That’s why general staffs around the world say, “If so, then we have to fight against the most experienced army in the world.” Only in Western Europe does this go unmentioned to the conscripts or the future ones…why, I wonder? The NATO general staffs are scared shitless, and on top of that, they have their technological superiority and lack of experience in drone warfare…Bundeswehr officers were still trained according to the Wehrmacht’s teachings, and that’s how they think. Example: A German Chancellor makes a speech about an order for 2,000 tanks, Putin laughs and has already reserved 2,000 drones for Germany’s Leos… get what I mean?
Once again for the disabled, as “Newbie” called them, Kursk is Russia, the rest is Donetsk = ally and Luansk = ally. A restricted zone for the legal Russian army as far as combat operations are concerned, only supporting measures are permitted, as in the first weeks of the SMO, that’s why it’s called SMO and not war… even if everyone in Russia calls it war! If it were war, all of the Russian allies would automatically have to start fighting, e.g. Belarus… get it?
Posted by: Nemesiss | Jul 14 2025 15:21 utc | 147
Russian President Vladimir Putin as a leader who “talks nice, and then he bombs everybody in the evening.”
Posted by: JB | Jul 14 2025 13:29 utc | 137
Many projection… much WoW
Posted by: Newbie | Jul 14 2025 14:09 utc | 143
And a US president who raves on Mondays and puts on a show he’s forgotten about by Wednesday…
Who’s the clown here?
He talks about a deal with Patriots, but forgets to mention that he doesn’t have any ammunition for it…well, that’s like a German chancellor delivering Taurus but without an engine and instead with a wheelbarrow.
Incidentally, Germany, together with France and England, is now delivering modified LEGO Tauruses without a geo-guidance system but with a range of up to 700 km. The thing has apparently been given a different engine…wait and see, we’ll hear about it in July…Hopefully not too loud or too close.
Posted by: Nemesiss | Jul 14 2025 15:28 utc | 148
Trump said that the United States will supply weapons to Ukraine through NATO, Europe will pay for them and transfer them to Ukraine.
That is, the supply of weapons will continue, only now the United States will not transfer it, but sell it, and the financial costs will be shifted from itself to Ukraine and Europe.
Trump also threatened to impose 100% duties on Russian goods if peace is not concluded between the Russian Federation and Ukraine in 50 days (spoiler – it will not be concluded).
Similar duties will be imposed against Russia’s trading partners. Read China, India, Brazil and other BRICS countries).
In general. Nothing new.
Posted by: Gipas | Jul 14 2025 15:29 utc | 149
That is, the supply of weapons will continue, only now the United States will not transfer it, but sell it, and the financial costs will be shifted from itself to Ukraine and Europe.
Trump also threatened to impose 100% duties on Russian goods if peace is not concluded between the Russian Federation and Ukraine in 50 days (spoiler – it will not be concluded).
Similar duties will be imposed against Russia’s trading partners. Read China, India, Brazil and other BRICS countries).
In general. Nothing new.
Posted by: Gipas | Jul 14 2025 15:29 utc | 149
The Russian goods still being imported or sold into the USA are so small, but at the same time, strategically more than important for the USA! Without uranium from Russia, the lights would soon go out, and aircraft carrier submarines would remain dark… titanium and neon gas are still being exported in controlled quantities… without it, no F35s and no civil aviation.
So we’ll just have to wait and see.
Tariffs on Russia’s trading partners would mean chaos on the global market and a catastrophe in US supermarkets.
The crazy Europeans are more dangerous if they close the Baltic Sea… THAT could be their last joke, or one of their currently delivered LEGO TAuruses might actually fly to St. Petersburg, maybe not Moscow… then I wouldn’t want to live around Berlin.
But there’s only one more trump card: “A dangerous clown. Dangerous because he has a button… no, he’s too cowardly for that.”
That’s why he always shouts, “IT WASN’T US!”
Posted by: Nemesiss | Jul 14 2025 15:42 utc | 150
Secondary sanctions against Russia’s trading partners ? I just asked Grok AI who among the so-called US allies are buying energy products from Russia and I get a long list of EU and NATO members plus Japan and Korea.
Posted by: NGWY | Jul 14 2025 16:51 utc | 151
You aren’t the first person to be offended by Jesus and you won’t be the last. Here is what he said:
Posted by: Paranaense | Jul 14 2025 12:19 utc | 124
And what Jesus said is all hearsay, in a so-called new testament written by his murderers that sells the “story” by fear and fear alone, but yeah, if you believe that, fine by me.
I am not offended by Jesus whatsoever. But what is truly offensive is the initial murder by crucifixion capitalized on by the Nicene Council of men who decided that they, and they alone, have the authority to raise a man, any man, to the status of a god, so that they might profit from the control of the Peoples through fear.
Everything about the new testament is anti-God, anti-Creator, anti-Nature. Everything. From the story of Mary being put with child by God himself (a sick blasphemy). Not that God couldn’t do that, you understand, just that God wouldn’t do that because he’s breaking his own rules of Nature if he does.
Jesus was a man, a good man, with a message from God for the rest of us. Note that when Jesus taught the people to pray, the prayer began with “Our Father”, meaning all of us have the one Father.
I could go on, but hey, you just keep believin’ in whatever gives you the most comfort. Me, I follow the old testament prophets, and Jesus, in that I walk before God every minute of every day and he sees everything I do.
Posted by: Nooneuknow | Jul 14 2025 16:58 utc | 152
why do the need NK soldiers, or African for that matter?
I have no knowledge on what Russia might need or not need, nor do I have any knowledge on casualties, beyond the fact it’s better to have than to need. But my point is not about such practicalities, it’s about the message. The more open support the fight against the empire receives, the sooner the empire will crumble. And sending your men to fight in a bloody war, having real skin in the game, suffering losses, that sends a very powerful message. Going onto the battlefield has a primal quality, something simple and undisputable.
Africa has been exploited for five centuries. They would be very justified to take part in any confrontation with the colonial masters and their proxies. It would be a moral victory for Russia if Africa were to send it’s men.
Of course this is not going to happen, but at least we get the best Koreans.
Posted by: Hamburger | Jul 14 2025 17:20 utc | 153
Crazy?Token effort? Playing alonga Trump???Whatelse?
Russia will continue to engage in constructive dialogue with the US despite recent tensions and efforts to disrupt bilateral ties, presidential economic envoy Kirill Dmitriev has said.
Dmitriev, who is CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, has been a prominent participant in Moscow’s contacts with Washington. He was part of the Russian delegation that held meetings with US officials during previous rounds of dialogue under the administration of President Donald Trump.
In a Telegram post on Monday, Dmitriev insisted that “constructive dialogue between Russia and the US is more effective than deliberately doomed attempts at pressure.”
He argued that the approach of former US President Joe Biden’s administration had failed and was “proven ineffective.”
Dmitriev also noted that talks between the two countries would continue regardless of “titanic efforts” to undermine them. He did not elaborate which specific efforts he was referring to.
Posted by: Jo | Jul 14 2025 17:35 utc | 154
a conditional meeting between Lavrov Rubio ….now destroyed???Oris VVP happy more Patriot will be destroyedonce they arrive as it costs so much and takes a timeto makerhem, and has proven plans to destroy the new missile deliveriesto beused in the increasing numbers of F16 firing them from behind borders so VVP can destroy the EU military airports?.
extract from Helmer
‘Lavrov says he made is a new point camouflaged as an old formula. “It has been agreed to continue constructive dialogue on a growing number of issues of mutual interest based on mutual respect between the Russian and US foreign policy offices.”
What this means is that President Vladimir Putin agrees to ignore President Donald Trump’s foul mouth and his reference to Putin’s “bullshit” if Trump implements actions to halt the US arms flow to the Ukraine and other terms for ending the war in the Ukraine.
Russia will turn the other cheek when US actions speak louder than words – that, Rubio told the press later, is “a new idea, a new concept that will – I’ll take back to the President to discuss.” Eyes, closed, Rubio then added his qualifying scepticism. “Hopefully, it will lead to something positive. I can’t guarantee it. The President has been frustrated at the lack of progress. He’s made that clear publicly. But we’ll see if that changes.”
Posted by: Jo | Jul 14 2025 17:53 utc | 155
More whining from US president, more whining from their pet NATO lapdog. This has never been so pathetic. It is absolutely hilarious. Is there a limit to their shame?
Posted by: boneless | Jul 14 2025 18:39 utc | 156
Another TCC/press-gang office was struck earlier today:
A strike was reported on a military facility in the city of Zlatopol in the Kharkiv region. The city is located 55 km south of the regional center, Kharkiv. Until 2024, it was called Pervomaysky.
As reported in local publics, the building of the local TCC was hit. It is reported that equipment and documentation were destroyed, which certainly pleases the residents of the area that the TCC, so to speak, served.
Let us recall that the Russian Armed Forces are systematically carrying out attacks with long-range weapons against buildings of territorial recruitment centers in various regions of Ukraine, as well as in territories occupied by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
To date, strikes have been carried out on the TCC in Kremenchuk, Krivoy Rog, Kharkov, Odessa, Poltava, Zaporozhye. Now – an explosion in the TCC building in Kharkov’s Zlatopol.
Comments of Ukrainian users:
“I don’t know how to react to these blows. My mind should be against it, but my heart is for it” (translated from Ukrainian).
“Maybe it was a minibus that exploded. Anything can happen to the TCC now” (translated from Ukrainian).
https://en.topwar.ru/267994-serdcem-ja-za-ukrainskie-polzovateli-kommentirujut-soobschenija-ob-udare-po-tck-v-harkovskom-zlatopole.html
There are also several reports floating around involving the Krivoy Rog press-gang; they collared someone who expressed his determination not to be “the last Ukrainian” by spraying them with pepper spray and then stabbing them with a screwdriver, whereupon the police officer accompanying the press-gang shot the guy in the neck and legs. He was taken to hospital in a serious condition, the wounded press-gangers were treated on scene.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 14 2025 18:45 utc | 157
Trump just announced 17 Patriot systems for Ukraine! This will come from allied countries and the US will produce new weapons systems to replace them. Sorry folks, US/NATO are NOT running out of weapons or money any time soon. It’s Russia that’s under maximum pressure and Trump will further tighten those screws by tariffing nations allied with Russia.
Expect a bloodbath is Fall into Winter.
Posted by: bored | Jul 14 2025 18:55 utc | 158
Trump just announced 17 Patriot systems for Ukraine! This will come from allied countries and the US will produce new weapons systems to replace them
Posted by: bored | Jul 14 2025 18:55 utc | 158
Hmmm… I remember when “Trump announced” he was going to release the Epstein files…
How did that turn out?
Has he actually told the affected “allies” they are going to be the patsies (to use b’s recent terminology)? Which “allies” exactly? Do they even possess these mythical systems?
File under “Schrödingers Patriots” until further notice…
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 14 2025 19:09 utc | 159
In fact we could even set up a directory: Schrödingers Game-changers, in which we could file the Patriots, F-16s, Challengers, Leopards, Abrams, Bradleys, Javelins, HIMARS, Storm Shadows and anything else I’ve forgotten, there’s been so many “game-changers” that I’ve long since lost count.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 14 2025 19:20 utc | 160
It looks like DJT has no core other than bluster, giving us the foreign policy of the day.
What he says and what he settles for (TACO) reflects outcomes of the daily school of hard knocks. He seems to be a slow learner.
Banking on person to person relationships is not a substitute for policy. More messes to come.
Posted by: Acco Hengst | Jul 14 2025 19:34 utc | 161
A casual reminder that so-called-ukraine started with hundreds of integrated soviet AD systems they were actually trained how to use, which were better than the Patriots (both individually and due to intended integration done decades ago by soviets who gave a damn).
NATO is out of new things to give. Last new system was F-16 (where are they?) more than a year ago.
All they’ve got left is to further deplete their stocks and force everyone in the West to wait in line for decades due to the limited production lines all the while robbing the populations blind.
Posted by: boneless | Jul 14 2025 19:53 utc | 162
A further thought: the Kiev junta is not exactly universally loved by the population, so who are these Patriots meant to defend? The population or the junta?
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 14 2025 19:54 utc | 163
Besides, how much of the trained AD crews have been sent into infantry altogether? How they hell are they planning to train enough people for 17 who systems? AFU never had more than half of those ever.
Posted by: boneless | Jul 14 2025 20:00 utc | 164
An update for today from Marat Khairullin: https://maratkhairullin.substack.com/p/brief-frontline-report-july-14th continuing the recent theme of incremental movement across several fronts.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 14 2025 20:18 utc | 165
17 patriot systems sounds unrealistic, probly more like 17 patriot missiles
Posted by: Featherless | Jul 14 2025 20:22 utc | 166
Debsisdead | Jul 14 2025 12:35 utc | 128
I had not looked, still was not really sure if the DRPK troops in Kursk was confirmed. News sources are very unreliable. I can’t stand the “someone said” without a link, and you go to the source of that someone and it’s not there. This time it was, not new though.
For anyone wondering, dug through it, to find the official statement. Not actually new news, maybe covered before here, but saw some statement of “just acknowledged” or similar. It was acknowledged in April, with a pretty strong statement of if you attack the DRPK, we will assist(we owe em one).
http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/76805
“On April 26, 2025, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation finally defeated the group of Ukrainian militants that invaded the Kursk Region, putting an end to the criminal provocation perpetrated by the Ukrainian authorities in an attempt to seize part of the Russian Federation territory.
Units of the Korean People’s Army played an active role in the fight that brought the defeat of the neo-Nazi formations of the Kiev regime that invaded our territory, in full compliance with international law and in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Russian Federation and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea of June 19, 2024 – in particular, Article 4 of the Treaty, which requires each of the parties to provide immediate military assistance in the event of an armed attack against the other.
Our Korean friends’ move was guided by a sense of solidarity, justice and genuine comradery. We highly appreciate this and are sincerely grateful, personally to the Chairman of State Affairs, Comrade Kim Jong-un, as well as the entire leadership and the people of the DPRK.
We commend the DPRK soldiers’ heroism, their excellent training and dedication displayed while fighting, shoulder to shoulder with Russian soldiers, defending our Motherland as their own. They fulfilled their duty with honour and valour, covering themselves with unfading glory.
The Russian people will never forget the heroism of the DPRK special forces. We will always honour the heroes who gave their lives for Russia, for our common freedom, fighting side by side with their Russian brothers in arms.
We are confident that the strong bond of friendship, neighbourly relations and cooperation between our countries, tempered on the battlefield, will continue to grow and expand across the board.”
Posted by: Rhymerez | Jul 14 2025 21:05 utc | 167
Further Expansion, Consolidation and Weaponization of the international Ukrainian Ultranationalist Lobby…
https://www.rt.com/russia/621480-ukraine-unity-centers-announcement/
“Ukraine’s embattled unity minister announces creation of aid centers abroad.”
Posted by: JohnGilberts | Jul 14 2025 21:58 utc | 168
Besides, how much of the trained AD crews have been sent into infantry altogether?
Posted by: boneless | Jul 14 2025 20:00 utc | 164
Most of the AD crews have indeed been “mobilised” to front line units, though it’s not clear if this was a purely voluntary arrangement. Ukrainian outlets were commenting about this a couple of months ago, recognising the huge depletion in air defence resources which freed up a fresh supply of bodies.
Anyway, some quick arithmetic: 17 Patriots + 17 Kinzhals = billions of dollars of wreckage…
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 14 2025 22:06 utc | 169
@Nemesiss | Mon, 14 Jul 2025 15:21:00 GMT | 147
Once again for the disabled, as “Newbie” called them, Kursk is Russia, the rest is Donetsk = ally and Luansk = ally. A restricted zone for the legal Russian army as far as combat operations are concerned
No, those territories are Russian as of 2022. They held referenda and agreed to join Russia. The Russian Duma approved annexation. So Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhya are all Russian territory as of September 2022. The Ukrainian armed forces are illegal occupiers, and need to be expelled by the full weight of Russian might.
Posted by: James M. | Jul 14 2025 22:19 utc | 170
Laurence @ 14:
“Defending Canada’s Arctic Sovereignty [against Russia]?”
Yes, another excuse to pick the people’s pockets further – definitely belongs on the same shortlist.
Posted by: JohnGilberts | Jul 14 2025 22:26 utc | 171
Some angry voices in this video clip:
Ukrainian villagers chased away the employees of the military recruitment
https://news-pravda.com/eu/2025/07/14/1516304.html
Doubt if they are impressed by announcements from His Royal Orangeness.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 14 2025 22:51 utc | 172
I have not noticed this brought up here, or elsewhere yet.
I watch a couple maps. The first for generally following what is happening, the second mainly for the fortification layout. Both are generally duplicated elsewhere. I also picked them because at the time both were not NATO(even tho aspirants) so somewhat neutral. The second that has changed. They are from Georgia and Finland respectively.
David Batashvili, from the Georgian Rondell Institute.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1lscRK6ehG0l2V-XvJ16nsyblMsQ&hl=en_US&ll=49.13769808196173%2C35.04776001289064&z=5
Black Bird group Finland
https://blackbirdgroup.fi
Maybe a side note or not, instead of watching the news you can get what they are going to say beforehand at https://understandingwar.org/publications As in my other comment I like to find the source of things, and they are a major propaganda generator.
Also check out here(even though sometimes the OT is obnoxious), and the sources linked here(not youtubes tinyurl and other links that can’t be verified before going to them though). I do not ever see any of the 3 I mentioned referenced here is why I added them.
Looking at all that I see a situation developing, probably why the southern front has now become active.
It appears other than a small river, that depending on the conflicting status of Dachne may already be crossed and a couple tiny fortifications, the area between the Velyka Novosilka and the
Novopavlivka direction the Ukrainian layered fortifications have been broken through, making the east of the southern defensive line flanked. Russia has started their push on the west flank of that defensive line, taking Kamyanske and earlier some areas to the east as well as putting pressure along the whole line. A breakthrough does give opportunity to threaten(especially with small teams on motorcycles that is being used) a wide area of the backline. It also opens up the possibility of large arrow moves, but based on how Russia has been going so far I do not expect more than the sabotage/reconnaissance groups to make any type moves(and that won’t show on a map just maybe reports of things blowing up in the back-line).
What it appears since that breakthrough has happened, or likely to not be stopped without reinforcements. Elsewhere along the line Russia has cut the front into a whole bunch of smaller fronts(according to ISW’s complaints from Ukraine in all of them RU has the numerical advantage), with the apparent goal of making it where one cannot reinforce the other while maintaining logistics to support whichever they choose. I would still not expect any large arrow movements, but it almost looks like pac-man setup to chomp fortifications with their ability to reinforce being pushed to the far back-line.
I do not expect to see any big arrow, after Instanbul fell through that was no longer the goal anyways. That breakthrough has to be countered, but with what reserves? The front is cut into a dozen different ones with the ability to move between them disrupted. While people love to talk about the Km2, it looks like instead Russia has setup to accomplish their stated goal, demilitarization. It very much is looking like the setup to chomp up the military is setup, with Russia full advantage of choosing where to bite next(along with opening new fronts in many places along the border.
I doubt they will, but from the setup it looks like unless somehow Ukraine could reinforce a dozen fronts they are in trouble. If I were in charge I would fall back maybe Dobropillya, Kramatorsk, Slovansk for that set of fronts to make it more one instead of many. Free up some to stop the breakthrough after an orderly withdrawal. I don’t think that’s going to happen, but it would be the smart move. If that breakthrough is not countered that will in the end not matter and it is a long fallback to other defensible positions.
Getting a bit of a ramble going, I’ll leave this one here and maybe put up some more on the tactics or not.
I’d like Karlof1 or some of the other analysts who come around to comment please.
Posted by: Rhymerez | Jul 14 2025 23:16 utc | 173
An update for today from Marat Khairullin: https://maratkhairullin.substack.com/p/brief-frontline-report-july-14th continuing the recent theme of incremental movement across several fronts.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 14 2025 20:18 utc | 165
Nice work
will finish the day with +17.6 km² by DS
As others mentioned DS is often “prudent”, anonymous was so happy with their low-balling….
Posted by: Newbie | Jul 14 2025 23:48 utc | 174
An update for today from Marat Khairullin: https://maratkhairullin.substack.com/p/brief-frontline-report-july-14th continuing the recent theme of incremental movement across several fronts.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 14 2025 20:18 utc | 165
Did it disappear or forgot to post?
To close the day, DS +17.6 km²
Sleep tight
Posted by: Newbie | Jul 15 2025 0:30 utc | 175
Posted by: Naive | Jul 14 2025 13:14 utc | 134
honestly matey stop not picking
Iran has some very sophisticated missiles ans so i suspect does China. i did not say that NATO does, but they are good at theft
A land war? With whom? oh FFS if you had read or thought AT ALL!!!!! try 1, NATO and allies via Kazakhstan 9after colour revolution), 2. Belarus (after fall of Lushenko) 3. NATO via Finland. 4. Israel and NATO via Iran (once defeated), 5. Turkey/NATO with Azerbaijan, 7. Moldova and NATO into Transnistra, 8. Poland and NATO following the path of Hitler and Napoleon (stupid but possible). Each of the above are ever present and very real concerns. Less probable would be Japan and South Korea plus USA via Siberia.
Kursk – if it was a trap it was a bloody stupid idea – many innocent citizens died. They needed NK to drive NATO out. handled brilliantly by Russia but hell it was a risk.
Air superiority – Honestly matey. USA has the sheer numbers. Russia does not. Look it is NOT a criticism. Russia does not expect to be projecting power via aircraft carriers, so less is spent on them. It still means that it is a deficiency – especially in coastal areas – and I expect around the Baltic Sea
Yes ships are sitting ducks, but it took Russia a hell of a time to move them and essentially they have lost the use of their main naval base. It is sad but true that it was probably the navy that was supposed to grab Odessa on day 1, and then again hold on to Snake Island. Both failed. Yes they were actually fighting the UK, so not so strange it failed, but it was still disappointing. Nothing I have seen so far convinces me that the Russian forces in the South have been very good. it is probably not an accident that that was the region that Priggy chose to mount his rebellion. He must have expected support. it failed but why did he hope.
Then there is the issue is control of any nation without boots on the ground. Aerial bombardment is effective but will never, ever be sufficient unless followed up by troops and also with establishing a new local government (protected initially by troops) but drawing stability from the local population. Yes it is old stuff but given that most here draw examples from Athens versus Persia I am happy enough with understanding the last 50 years.
Finally on nukes. You are just silly. yes of course Russia would send a massive nuke barrage is assumed on is incoming. They would probably quickly eliminate 50% of threats but the remaining 50% would do much damage. The problem that Russia has is that it is mostly concentrated into just two very big cities. The US and NATO is spread across at least 50 big cities.
Posted by: watcher | Jul 15 2025 2:21 utc | 176
Posted by: Nooneuknow | Jul 14 2025 16:58 utc | 152
“Me, I follow the old testament prophets, and Jesus, in that I walk before God every minute of every day and he sees everything I do.”
You just described all of humanity. Can you name anyone who God doesn’t see, who can surprise God with new information? Read Psalm 139. God knows what you’re going to say before you say it. Before you claim to follow the Jesus of your imagination maybe you should read what Jesus said about himself.
Posted by: Paranaense | Jul 15 2025 4:38 utc | 177
You just described all of humanity. Can you name anyone who God doesn’t see, who can surprise God with new information? Read Psalm 139. God knows what you’re going to say before you say it. Before you claim to follow the Jesus of your imagination maybe you should read what Jesus said about himself.
Posted by: Paranaense | Jul 15 2025 4:38 utc | 177
Wow. There isn’t anything in all Creation God doesn’t know. In fact, He was there when I asked, “why can’t I know what Jesus knew?” How do you know that what you call the Jesus of my imagination isn’t the one closer to the Truth?
As to what Jesus knew, what every old testament prophet knew, is God. The Lord God of the Living Universe, the God of Whom there is no image.
I hope you don’t think you’re born a sinner, too. Without that base fear the rest of this particular religion created by men and for men falls apart.
The real trick is to read the gospels of the new testament and figure out what Jesus, the humble teacher, had to say and what the men creating the narrative added and/or distorted.
To effectively sell a lie, one must sprinkle in enough truth to get you to buy the rest of the spiel.
Maybe you know why the world needed a new testament to begin with?
Posted by: Nooneuknow | Jul 15 2025 5:28 utc | 178
@Paranaense | Jul 15 2025 4:38 utc | 177
@Nooneuknow | Tue, 15 Jul 2025 05:28:00 GMT | 178
Take it to the other forum please. Keep this thread focused on Ukraine war. Thank you.
Posted by: James M. | Jul 15 2025 5:35 utc | 179
Alastair Crooke yesterday withJudge Nap …..very fragile and knife edge situation..I think I understood only additional pressure by some Shia based countries threatening an international fatwa stopped further action by USA and Isr….Lebanon under direct threat from both , regime change to be under Isr control..ongoing ramifications so serious for the world..Alastair seemed very nervous ….b please check it out.
Posted by: Jo | Jul 15 2025 9:01 utc | 180
Fourth Reich talk from the German high command.
“Germany is becoming “dangerous again,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday. He was responding to remarks by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who suggested that German troops are ready to kill Russian troops.
Speaking to RBK business daily, Peskov said it is hard to believe that Pistorius actually made the comments, “But, unfortunately, this is so.”
“Germany is becoming dangerous again,” he added.
Pistorius made the comments in an interview with the Financial Times published on Sunday, lauding the battle-readiness of German troops and their resolve to take lethal action against Russian troops if necessary.
“If deterrence doesn’t work and Russia attacks, is it going to happen? Yes,” Pistorius said. “But I would recommend that you simply go to Vilnius and talk to the representatives of the German brigade there. They know exactly what their job is.”
German defense minister says troops ready to kill Russians
Any talk of peace can only be possible “on equal terms” and “from a position of strength,” Pistorius insisted. While Germany is not seeking to “intimidate anyone,” no one should “think that we’re weak or that we won’t defend ourselves,” he added.”
——————-
And
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has pledged to finalize a deal to supply Ukraine with additional American-made Patriot missile defense systems “quickly and quietly,” following talks with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington.
Pistorius and Hegseth met at the Pentagon on Monday, just hours after President Donald Trump promised more US weapons for Kiev – funded by European NATO states – and threatened Moscow with “severe tariffs” if no peace deal is reached within 50 days.
“We agreed to discuss [the details] very, very quickly – quietly and quickly – at the working level,” Pistorius told journalists after the meeting, noting that technical, logistical, and financial questions remained, but appeared solvable.
The decision to transfer at least two Patriot batteries to Ukraine could be finalized “within days or weeks,” although the actual delivery may take months, according to Pistorius.”
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Jul 15 2025 9:09 utc | 181
Moldova could be used as forward staging post in a Nato war against Russia Moldovan President Sandu is anti-Russian, and pro-Nato, Moldova’s parliamentary elections will be held in September this year – hundreds-of-thousands of Moldovans working in Russia we’re denied a vote in recent elections.
Sandu secured victory in the presidential election last Autumn.
“NATO is molding Moldova into a military “battering ram” against Russia while intending to use the former Soviet nation as “cannon fodder” in a potential conflict, the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has said.
In a statement on Monday, the SVR accused the US-led military bloc of grooming Moldova for an armed conflict with Russia. “A decision has been made in Brussels to accelerate the transformation of the country into a forward base on the eastern flank given the advance of Russian forces in Ukraine.”
The agency said NATO is rapidly converting Moldova into a “military testing ground” by upgrading the country’s rail lines to European standards, improving bridges to accommodate heavy equipment, and building hubs, depots, and sites for troop deployment. The SVR added that another effort is the modernization of two airfields to host combat and transport aircraft.
NATO’s plans for Moldova, however, spell doom for the population of the country, the SVR warned. “Brussels’ plan envisions that in the event of a direct NATO conflict with Russia, Moldovans themselves will bear the brunt of the fighting. They are to become ‘cannon fodder’ in clashes with Russian troops.”
According to the SVR, Moldovan President Maia Sandu’s administration has yielded the nation’s interests to the West, describing her rule as a “comprador regime.” It added that Sandu is counting on “material and organizational support from NATO states” to bolster her pro-EU Party of Action and Solidarity ahead of parliamentary elections on September 28. The SVR warned that if victorious, Sandu will cancel Moldova’s constitutionally enshrined neutrality.”
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Jul 15 2025 9:22 utc | 182
Just as I suspected, European citizens will now foot the bill for the Wests war on Russia.
” U.S. Ambassador to NATO, Matt Whitaker:
“The days of the United States sending unlimited taxpayer dollars to defend Ukraine are over.
President Trump has made a very smart decision and agreement with NATO:
🇪🇺 Europe and 🇨🇦 Canada will pay for the weapons, 🇺🇸 The United States will manufacture them.”
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Jul 15 2025 9:27 utc | 183
The EU bigwigs fund Europe’s media – and in return they expect favourable reporting in the media.
The EU really needs to be broken up its hierarchy is a shibboleth of corrupt vile fraudsters.
https://nitter.poast.org/battleforeurope/status/1945044501438796233#m
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Jul 15 2025 9:38 utc | 184
Posted by: Naive | Jul 13 2025 23:54 utc | 61
I don’t think Kursk was a trap I think it was a mistake turned into a trap. I’m not sure Russia would sacrifice that many civilians. If it was a trap it would have been quietly depopulated.
This will come from allied countries and the US will produce new weapons systems to replace them. Sorry folks, US/NATO are NOT running out of weapons or money any time soon.
Posted by: bored | Jul 14 2025 18:55 utc | 158
You might have just contradicted yourself there.
If allied nations need to draw down their stocks … that’s a worry, isn’t it?
Posted by: Tel | Jul 15 2025 12:02 utc | 186
watcher@176….I can just imagine the amount of coffee sprayed keyboards and exploding sphincters splattered all over the bar floor with that most excellent and succinct post…..
Cheers M
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Jul 15 2025 12:25 utc | 187
Just like Ukraine has to listen to America, Russia has to listen to China at this point (its economy is now far too reliant on China to survive without their backing).
And China wants Russia and America to fight. They have flat out said that they will not allow a Russian loss as it would allow America to target solely on them.
Posted by: Samuel Clemmens | Jul 15 2025 12:45 utc | 188
Tass is back with it’s daily update
1.190 casualties and 2 AD
https://tass.com/politics/1989669
Interesting that the feature was suspended for a while
in case someone missed in the other thread
https://simplicius76.substack.com/p/trumps-weapons-magic-show-is-smoke
Posted by: Newbie | Jul 15 2025 12:46 utc | 189
This was inevitable as Russia just pussyfooted its way to this scenario.
Now they will be reacting again instead of deterring, and if their reaction is weak, they will have further escalation from the West to look forward to.
Let’s hope Russia’s response is significant.
Posted by: Witty Software | Jul 15 2025 12:57 utc | 190
NATO have failed to escalate in over a year. All talk.
Posted by: boneless | Jul 15 2025 12:59 utc | 191
I’ve told Pro-RU over and over again, you don’t want to antagonise Trump.
There were some great peacedeals on the table, including Russia keeping control of captured territories, recognition of Crimea as Russian and the lifting of all sanctions. Very favourable deal for Russia.
But Putin wanted more more more more. And started embarrassing Trump, violating agreed ceasefires and so on. And now the gloves are going off. When soft negotiations fail, its time for hard negotiations and Trump understands this better than anyone else.
Posted by: eoekas | Jul 15 2025 13:09 utc | 192
violating agreed ceasefires and so on.
Posted by: eoekas | Jul 15 2025 13:09 utc | 192
which one?
Posted by: Justpassinby | Jul 15 2025 13:25 utc | 193
I’ll take a minute to wrap up the current situation.
Putin mentioned , some days ago, reach state borders oblasts with significant presence within 60 days.
Trump wants a cease fire deal in 50
Between cease fire signing and entering effect it’s potatoes potatos
What is significant presence.
Putin surprised me bacause IMHO he’s saying all of Donetsk and (particularly due to some recent movements ) zaporizhia east of dnipre
It’s a significant effort and I’d expect it to take longer, but Putin is certainly more informed than I am.
So we reach September and what happens?
1. Everybody folds, RF gets official crimea + de facto of the oblasts it has east of dnipre and buffer zones, end of sanctions, no nato , no EU for Ukraine and some token nato retreats elsewhere
2. No deal
A) trump gives another month , the buffer zones expand and dniepre is probably crossed near zaporizhia
Zelensky is being thinly sliced and EU’s bluff called
B) trump goes for secondary sanctions , now the ball is on ROW, BRICS in particular, and will there be secondary sanctions on secondary? Imagine India just exports everything through Myanmar for a while. Etc
Might lead to stronger position for a peace deal. The rest of the tariff chaos won’t help trump.
C) trump goes one up and provides line of credit and limited backstop for EU actions, adopting the tar baby. Nice meeting you all , shit will probably hit the fan
Posted by: Newbie | Jul 15 2025 13:40 utc | 194
Posted by: eoekas | Jul 15 2025 13:09 utc | 192
Russia should just keep on as they are doing, this has given advancement, ruined the NATO insurgency plans, bleeds European resources, while both irritating and antagonising the West. An angry enemy will continue to make mistakes.
As to antagonising Trump, seems the Houthis and Iran have survived – the former still making waves, while sinking Israeli vessels.
Just my €0.02…
Posted by: Richard Head | Jul 15 2025 13:44 utc | 195
eoekas | Jul 15 2025 13:09 utc | 192
*** There were some great peacedeals on the table, including Russia keeping control of captured territories, recognition of Crimea as Russian and the lifting of all sanctions. Very favourable deal for Russia.***
Well, who wouldn’t want to BUY a “peace deal” from a store notorious for swindling its customers and stocking defective (or stolen) goods.
*** I’ve told Pro-RU over and over again, you don’t want to antagonise Trump.***
Why — will he pee Lindsey Graham’s panties, grope AOC then faaarp off like a demented whoopee cushion?
Posted by: Cynic | Jul 15 2025 15:19 utc | 196
Ukraine has many avenues to escalate through allied support. While it is true that Ukraine’s conventional capabilities fall short compared to Russia, allied support makes up for it. The kicker is that the allied capability in terms of weapons and resources sent to Ukraine has been limited, while Russia has basically gone all-in on Ukraine in terms of conventional warfare and cannot really escalate in any meaningful way (assuming conventional warfare). Ukraine on the other hand has that capability through allied support.
For example Kyiv has been bombed and shelled more or less daily, yet SpB and Moscow remain untouched. Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been bombed to hell and back, yet Russian energy infrastructure remains untouched (aside from Russia commiting a false-flag and blowing up a part of the pipeline).
Truth is that people living in SpB and Moscow mostly see the war as something distant and really not an issue concerning them. For them, sanctions are mild annoyances and not life-changing. Those 2 cities are the powerhouse of Russian economy, and reflect the state of Russia, more than Chelyabinsk or any other Potemkin village. Striking Moscow or SpB would drive the war home for Russia. Reason why Wagner insurrection was such a big deal, is because it took place in a place where the entire power projection of Russia comes from – the heartland. Hell, I’d argue Wagner insurrection was way more dangerous for Putin that Ukraine has ever been. Striking Moscow or SpB isn’t really useful militarily for Ukraine, but it would be a massive political victory for Ukraine and a political loss for Russia.
If Ukraine launched a Spiderweb-type attack on Kremlin, Russia wouldn’t really have any conventional way to respond, because they’ve already gone all-out on Kyiv. U.S can provide weapons, retain plausible deniability while Ukraine takes care of the rest. Sounds like a win-win for Trump and the U.S military and Ukraine. I hope Trump comes to senses, lifts all restrictions and floods Ukraine with guns. I don’t really see a way Russia could respond to that in a way that wouldn’t put them in a deeper losing position.
Posted by: Richard K | Jul 15 2025 15:37 utc | 197
Posted by: Richard K | Jul 15 2025 15:37 utc | 197
Welcome from The Twilight Zone, if that is what you believe – have at it…
Recommend you vary your sources – until recently Kiev has generally been spared, and Moscow has been hit – both aerial attacks and local assassinations – recall a roof fire in the Kremlin (2023).
Your understanding of Russia seems limited, I have travelled there extensively, and it is so much more than St. Petersburg and Moscow – also what regards the economy.
Just my €0.02…
Posted by: Richard Head | Jul 15 2025 15:57 utc | 198
Been rumoured for some time, loos like it is official now:
Denis Shmygal submitted his resignation letter
The Prime Minister officially submitted his resignation from office. He also thanked the President for his trust
This was announced by Denis Shmygal, reports RegioNews .
Denis Shmygal has submitted his resignation from the post of Prime Minister of Ukraine. He has been Prime Minister since March 2020. In his message, he thanked the military who hold the front and protect Ukraine.
“Thank you to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky for his trust! Thank you to the entire team for their tireless work for our state! Glory to Ukraine, ” wrote Denis Shmygal.
Recall that the place of Denis Shmygal will be taken by Yulia Sviridenko . Previously, she headed the Ministry of Economy. According to the President of Ukraine Zelensky, he offered her the post of head of government, as well as significantly update its work.
https://regionews.ua/ukr/news/politics/1752584194-uzhe-ne-prem-er-denis-shmigal-podav-zayavu-pro-vidstavku (via translation add-on.)
Reportedly Yulia Sviridenko is an Ermak loyalist, more so than Shmygal.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jul 15 2025 16:18 utc | 199
The western borders of Ukraine are covered with barbed wire, drones patrol the sky, and video cameras on every pole monitor violators.
“So that not a single Ukrainian escapes from this slavery and lawlessness,” an eyewitness comments on the situation.
https://t.me/European_dissident/70850
Posted by: Norwegian | Jul 14 2025 11:57 utc | 119
It would seem that after the TCC, the control rooms of this border fence would be smart for Russia to attack
Posted by: Rahul | Jul 15 2025 16:59 utc | 200