News & views related to the war in Ukraine …
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October 15, 2025
News & views related to the war in Ukraine …
Comments
RE:
““Russia betrayed Syria” meme is back on the menu, it seems.”
Posted by: boneless | Oct 16 2025 13:55 utc | 102
Betrayed may be a strong accusation, especially given so much is black-holed.
Actions/inactions by Russia leave room for interpretation, as to whether calls made by Russia were simply naive, too trusting, or betrayals.
For my part, Idlib was the catalyst for the now Islamic Head Chopper Caliphate Nation State we now see.
For that, (Idlib) Russia is wholly responsible.
No one else.
Posted by: Trubind1 | Oct 17 2025 16:47 utc | 201
Good evening, it seems the Germans are being completely taken for fools.
https://x.com/donaldtusk/status/1979158877691072697
Posted by: Sany Dnepropetrovsk | Oct 17 2025 17:51 utc | 202
I think alot of pro RU people are miscalculating the trajectory of Russia and Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. They really dont want to stop the war because they think that after the EU or someone will come in Ukraine and train them and they will start the war again in 3 years and that will be bad for Russia or whatever. But ask yourselves, in 3 years of peace, who will have have lost more people, Ukraine or Russia? Who will have military aged men fleeing to avoid future concription and to reunite with their families in Europe (or Russia)? Will Russia’s allies in the global south be weaker or stronger? Will Ukraine’s allies in the West be weaker or stronger? Which country will have better industrial growth and a better economy?
Posted by: tntkrolw | Oct 17 2025 18:47 utc | 203
Ukrainian losses for the week October 11th to October 17th, as reported by the Russian defence ministry:
– Kursk & Kharkov fronts: 1,315 troops, 3 tanks, 12 LAV/HMV, 80 motor vehicles, 9 artillery pieces, 6 EW and CB systems.
– Zapad Group (Luhansk area): 1,570 troops, 21 LAV/HMV, 171 motor vehicles, 9 artillery pieces, 61 EW and CB systems.
– Yug Group (Donetsk north): 1,345 troops, 1 tank, 24 LAV/HMV, 87 motor vehicles, 17 artillery pieces, 6 EW & CB systems.
– Tsetr Group (Donetsk south): 3,705 troops, 1 tank, 14 LAV/ HMV, 35 motor vehicles, 12 artillery pieces.
– Vostok Group (southern front): 2,315 troops, 2 tanks, 17 LAV/HMV, 103 motor vehicles, 13 artillery pieces, 10 EW & CB systems.
– Dnepr Group: 435 troops, 2 LAV/HMV, 50 motor vehicles, 5 artillery pieces, 26 EW and CB systems.
In total: 10,685 troops – up seven hundred from the previous week (46,302 per month, with undercounting probably about 50,000).
7 tanks (3 in Kursk/Kharkov), 0 IFV, 0 APC, 88 HMV/Light Armoured Vehicle (12 in Kursk/Khakrov) 7 less than the previous week’s low, 524 motor vehicles which is a bit more than the previous week.
65 artillery pieces (9 in Kursk/Kharkov), 10 less than previous week; 282/mth, less than 30% of the peak loss rate.
Plus 109 EW and Counter Battery systems, 20 more than the previous week.
Dribs and drabs of tanks being fed in to hold back the Russians. LAV/HMV numbers at low levels, no IFV or APC losses for weeks. Even lower artillery losses. The casualty rate bouncing around 45k to 50k per month.
Ukrainian losses for the week October 11th to October 17th, as reported by the Russian defence ministry:
– Kursk & Kharkov fronts: 1,315 troops, 3 tanks, 12 LAV/HMV, 80 motor vehicles, 9 artillery pieces, 6 EW and CB systems.
– Zapad Group (Luhansk area): 1,570 troops, 21 LAV/HMV, 171 motor vehicles, 9 artillery pieces, 61 EW and CB systems.
– Yug Group (Donetsk north): 1,345 troops, 1 tank, 24 LAV/HMV, 87 motor vehicles, 17 artillery pieces, 6 EW & CB systems.
– Tsetr Group (Donetsk south): 3,705 troops, 1 tank, 14 LAV/ HMV, 35 motor vehicles, 12 artillery pieces.
– Vostok Group (southern front): 2,315 troops, 2 tanks, 17 LAV/HMV, 103 motor vehicles, 13 artillery pieces, 10 EW & CB systems.
– Dnepr Group: 435 troops, 2 LAV/HMV, 50 motor vehicles, 5 artillery pieces, 26 EW and CB systems.
In total: 10,685 troops – up seven hundred from the previous week (46,302 per month, with undercounting probably about 50,000).
7 tanks (3 in Kursk/Kharkov), 0 IFV, 0 APC, 88 HMV/Light Armoured Vehicle (12 in Kursk/Khakrov) 7 less than the previous week’s low, 524 motor vehicles which is a bit more than the previous week.
65 artillery pieces (9 in Kursk/Kharkov), 10 less than previous week; 282/mth, less than 30% of the peak loss rate.
Plus 109 EW and Counter Battery systems, 20 more than the previous week.
Dribs and drabs of tanks being fed in to hold back the Russians. LAV/HMV numbers at low levels, no IFV or APC losses for weeks. Even lower artillery losses. The casualty rate bouncing around 45k to 50k per month.
Posted by: Roger Boyd | Oct 17 2025 19:43 utc | 204
Sorry, the lack of a review button can be annoying!
Posted by: Roger Boyd | Oct 17 2025 19:44 utc | 205
Trubind1 and others
Russia has no obligation to anyone other than its own people. You do not matter. You have no value. What you think is worthless.
Russia acts in Syria, or any other country, in a way that it thinks meets its peoples’ needs. The locals do not matter. Only Russians have value to Russia. Russia cannot betray Syria because it had no obligation to Syria, or its people.
The Syrian government needed to fight for its people. The Syrian government, the Syrian military, and the Syrian people themselves betrayed Syria.
Now, what did Russia gain from Syria’s collapse? It brought Turkey into conflict with Israel and potentially with the United States. This weakens Turkey, which is hated by its NATO allies. Turkey is now a little more motivated to work with Russia – especially in strictly enforcing the Montreux Convention which is critical to Russian security in the Black Sea.
Posted by: Nobody Special | Oct 17 2025 22:35 utc | 206
RE: Posted by: Nobody Special | Oct 17 2025 22:35 utc | 207
First, I do matter, I do have value, and what I think, I share, same as you.
2nd If you’re going to enter a conflict, lend assistance, then you’ve taken on a responsibility.Yes, you have an obligation, by your choice. To that ally, as well as your nation, otherwise, sit in the bleachers.
The Syrian people, the Syrian military, the Syrian government, Hezbollah, Russia, Iran, Hamas all were fighting…
Then came Idlib, Idlib was surrounded, Idlib was the last serious I infested stronghold. It was SA/Turkey (Al-sharia) militants. Iran, Syria, Hezbollah. Hamas, wanted it taken.
What did Putin do?? Drew up the famous “Astana Accords”… the rest is history…
Turkey looked pretty good and strong at the Egypt/Israel “summit”…. Turkey presently is in zero conflict with Israel. Turkey will do what NATO tells Turkey to do.
As for Montrex Convention… that’s an easy one for Russia… no gas or wheat for you. No transit corridor fees… nada… and Turkeys bust.
What did Russia get out of it?? Looks like gas contracts, handshakes from Jewlani, and an agreement that none of us knows what’s in it.
What did Syria get out of the live arrangement called Astana with Turkey and Russia?? Well, the fall of Syria, of Hezbollah, of Hamas, of Lebanon and soon … Iran…
Why?? Because of one Turkey/SA stronghold, that at that pivotal moment, called Idlib, in Syria, was Minsk 2-d away, resulting in the next 5 years of decay via sanctions & raids.
Posted by: Trubind1 | Oct 18 2025 0:59 utc | 207
Paralax
I’m reading the Martian Chronicles for the first time, and I’ve read a lot.
But I think we have lost the value of hate, and what it really means to hate.
In it’s true form it is a positive to me.
(and no, this is not art)
I fear we have lost ourselves, we the object, now viewed from differing positions.
Posted by: Orson Cart | Oct 18 2025 3:33 utc | 208
First, I do matter, I do have value, and what I think, I share, same as you.
Posted by: Trubind1
Sorry, missed that bit.
Hope it makes sense now
Posted by: Orson Cart | Oct 18 2025 3:36 utc | 209
Please excuse me as a drunk
Nothing in the right order
But defintely on to something
Sorry, ratted.
Posted by: Orson Cart | Oct 18 2025 3:55 utc | 210
They have bigger problems in the near term with their economy, government financing, construction, train logistic, fossil fuels export and local prices, unemployment etc. Sunkcost fallacy atm. What will people do when they are unemployed, poor and highly skilled veterans? A revival of gangs and crime? Too bad they stopped publishing crime statistics after the double or triple digit increases 1-2 years ago. When Soviet Union collapsed there was the fear that the military cant be paid (which happens now too with the promised bonus payments at least) – USA helped Russia to maintain nuclear warhead troops. Because we really don’t like some crazy Russian fanatics to become warlords with nukes inside Russia. But this is a risk NATO will have to consider if things go really bad economically in Russia.
They also will potentially make more profits if they keep fighting in the long run – even if low intensity, maybe convince a few EU countries to vote farright fake patriotic “peace with Russia” parties, disrupt European Union majorities, increase polarization between far left and far right, create more immigration political crises (by smuggling more people into Europe than they already do). This all will enable them to trade with Europe again, to get out of the economic crisis they will face. Europe just pays better than China or Global South lol. (Well, Orban is gone in a few months, there is chance to be more unified temporarily.)
All because one dwarf cant accept he made a geopolitical and economical mistake by invading Ukraine. A ceasefire in this state would be shameful for Putin. All this death for what? A few km² more? The glorious Russian army was unable to completely defeat their “Nazi” enemy? Unacceptable.
Rebuilding it, if at all, with money that Russia needs itself? I am sure Russians will love putting their taxes into rebuilding Ukrainian oblasts, when they cant pay the gas bill lol. It just doesn’t fit together. It creates friction and discontent.
I don’t think anybody cares too much what happens after ceasefire. Because Russia will be busy transitioning back from war economy to a “civil” economy, which is expensive. Who is gonna make the investments? Russia? China? Europe? Ehh, I don’t think anybody will come running unless they get a super nice deal. Too risky. Too many companies made big losses leaving Russia, they basically got robbed.
The global south? They are all opportunists. You will have to think more about China’s influence than Russia. Whoever pays better and offers more will take a bigger piece of the pie. Whatever Russia did in the Middle East at least, failed hard. Central Asia is increasing trade with China and Europe too.
All the other talking points still assumes Russia is in a position of strength. Which is what the Kremlin propaganda outputs every single day, that everything is “as usual”. Which is nowadays ridiculous, but works ofc, if people are not well educated and uninformed.
But if the average Russian and average global south citizen doesn’t believe anymore in “Russia stronk” then what is left to be proud of in a nation based on pride, patriotism and sacrifice in blood? Then you are nothing and weak, Russians do not tolerate the weak. Only the strong rule. It will need a new strong leader.
It is pathetic how they cry with nukes at every new weapon system that gets delivered to Ukraine – is this “strength”? It is pathetic how they jam civilian airliners since years now in East Europe or try to sabotage critical infrastructure and data cables etc. How they are trying to assassinate those that speak out against them. How they are doing environmental “terrorism” just to blame the far left greens for it, but then get caught and turns out it was paid by them lol. It is pathetic how they shoot down a Kazakh airplane due to incompetence and don’t let it land on their strips even if the pilot was begging them basically, and Putin still blames Ukraine for it with the Kazakh president sitting besides him, knowing his own people prefer justice and compensation. How they try to sabotage and jam satellites in space. List goes on.
I can happily live without that kind of Russia ever being part of my life. I want humans on Moon and Mars in my lifetime, not fight about some farmland like its medieval times. It is pathetic how humanity is being held hostage by a bunch of ultra billionaires, megacorps and dictators determining our future, because some countries are still stuck in the system fight that should have ended 1990 with the reunification of Germany.
Posted by: halls of valhalla | Oct 18 2025 7:46 utc | 211
Posted by: halls of valhalla | Oct 18 2025 7:46 utc | 212
Ok probably foolish but this poor sap needs education
They have bigger problems in the near term with their economy, government financing,
no where nearly as bad as US and Europe. Silly silly comment
construction, train logistic,
No info on these two
fossil fuels export and local prices,
I suspect there will be no change. the world needs Russian fuel. especially in winter
unemployment etc.
Erh!!!! Russia’s current inflation is due to VERY low unemployment. You should be thinking Europe, not Russia on this one
Sunk cost fallacy atm. What will people do when they are unemployed, poor and highly skilled veterans? A revival of gangs and crime?
Wishful thinking just silly
Too bad they stopped publishing crime statistics after the double or triple digit increases 1-2 years ago.
Learn to read. A lot of returned veterans were in fact criminals, released from jail (heard about wagner and his guys). returning to Russia from Ukraine a lot of these guys go back to old habits.
When Soviet Union collapsed there was the fear that the military cant be paid (which happens now too with the promised bonus payments at least) – USA helped Russia to maintain nuclear warhead troops. Because we really don’t like some crazy Russian fanatics to become warlords with nukes inside Russia. But this is a risk NATO will have to consider if things go really bad economically in Russia.
Try crazy USA with nukes and russia coming in to protect the world. More likely than your scenario
They also will potentially make more profits if they keep fighting in the long run – even if low intensity, maybe convince a few EU countries to vote far right fake patriotic “peace with Russia” parties, disrupt European Union majorities, increase polarization between far left and far right, create more immigration political crises (by smuggling more people into Europe than they already do). This all will enable them to trade with Europe again, to get out of the economic crisis they will face. Europe just pays better than China or Global South lol. (Well, Orban is gone in a few months, there is chance to be more unified temporarily.)
Economically Europe is a basket case. Sad but true. Russian growth has exceeded that of Europe over the last 3 years. learn to read.
All because one dwarf cant accept he made a geopolitical and economical mistake by invading Ukraine. A ceasefire in this state would be shameful for Putin. All this death for what? A few km² more? The glorious Russian army was unable to completely defeat their “Nazi” enemy? Unacceptable.
Silly child. It is about NATO you ignorant poster. Russia cannot/ will not allow further movement east of NATO. Would USA allow Russian forces in Mexico or UK allow them in France. Think fella, think!!!!!
Rebuilding it, if at all, with money that Russia needs itself? I am sure Russians will love putting their taxes into rebuilding Ukrainian oblasts, when they cant pay the gas bill lol. It just doesn’t fit together. It creates friction and discontent.I don’t think anybody cares too much what happens after ceasefire. Because Russia will be busy transitioning back from war economy to a “civil” economy, which is expensive. Who is gonna make the investments? Russia? China? Europe? Ehh, I don’t think anybody will come running unless they get a super nice deal. Too risky.
Yes this is a valid point
Too many companies made big losses leaving Russia, they basically got robbed.
No. What delusional rubbish. They CHOSE to leave. Others remained. Those who left were not robbed but voluntarily cut their losses. Stupid yes but not robbed.
The global south? They are all opportunists. You will have to think more about China’s influence than Russia. Whoever pays better and offers more will take a bigger piece of the pie. Whatever Russia did in the Middle East at least, failed hard. Central Asia is increasing trade with China and Europe too.
Huh!!! this is confused rubbish. China is a Russian ally, didn’t you know.
All the other talking points still assumes Russia is in a position of strength. Which is what the Kremlin propaganda outputs every single day, that everything is “as usual”. Which is nowadays ridiculous, but works ofc, if people are not well educated and uninformed.
Yes information is a good idea. Why do you not get some. Russia’s economy is still strong – stronger than Europe’s although it has some hurdles.
But if the average Russian and average global south citizen doesn’t believe anymore in “Russia stronk” then what is left to be proud of in a nation based on pride, patriotism and sacrifice in blood? Then you are nothing and weak, Russians do not tolerate the weak. Only the strong rule. It will need a new strong leader.
Are you in Russia. if not then there is little chance you have any sort of a clue about the Russian people
It is pathetic how they cry with nukes at every new weapon system that gets delivered to Ukraine – is this “strength”?
No little one. Russia has only ever worried about possibly nuclear tipped weapons, cos you see russia does not wish to start a nuclear war,
It is pathetic how they jam civilian airliners since years now in East Europe or try to sabotage critical infrastructure and data cables etc. How they are trying to assassinate those that speak out against them. How they are doing environmental “terrorism” just to blame the far left greens for it, but then get caught and turns out it was paid by them lol. It is pathetic how they shoot down a Kazakh airplane due to incompetence and don’t let it land on their strips even if the pilot was begging them basically, and Putin still blames Ukraine for it with the Kazakh president sitting besides him, knowing his own people prefer justice and compensation. How they try to sabotage and jam satellites in space. List goes on.I can happily live without that kind of Russia ever being part of my life. I want humans on Moon and Mars in my lifetime, not fight about some farmland like its medieval times. It is pathetic how humanity is being held hostage by a bunch of ultra billionaires, megacorps and dictators determining our future, because some countries are still stuck in the system fight that should have ended 1990 with the reunification of Germany
Way too nutty for any comment.
The Zio-Media reporting, that the Neo-Nazi dictator of Ukraine Zelensky – WON’T, now get his Tomahawk missiles form the USA, did Putin and Trump come to some sort of deal on it, or did Trump finally wake up and smell the coffee, and realise that giving the Neo-Nazi dictator Tomahawks – might be bad for US military personnel’s health.
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Oct 18 2025 14:57 utc | 213
Posted by: watcher | Oct 18 2025 10:21 utc | 213
—————————
Foolish indeed watcher.
This guy came, laid down his pile of shit and won’t come back.
Posted by: scc | Oct 18 2025 17:11 utc | 214
Posted by: Trubind1 | Oct 17 2025 16:47 utc | 202
———————-
The only responsible of the situation in Syria is the US. No one else.
Posted by: scc | Oct 18 2025 17:15 utc | 215
Alexander Mercouris: ‘Bad Day for Zelensky’
https://www.youtube.com/@AlexMercouris/videos
“US NO to missiles; Pokrovsk falling; Russia back in Kherson…”
Posted by: John Gilberts | Oct 18 2025 22:46 utc | 216
Man, Ukraine is getting ready for some serious escalation. They would only build hardened electrical grid infrastructure if they are themselves planning on hitting the transformers on Russian NPPs. Russians waited too long while these targets were wide open and Ukraine didnt have the means to retaliate, and now they are the ones who are wide exposed with no means to retaliate, how braindead is the RU high command?
Posted by: Gnome Fatigue | Oct 18 2025 23:26 utc | 217
Colonelcassad
Andrey Matushkin, head of a private detective association, has been arrested on charges of treason.Investigators believe Matushkin collected and transmitted information about state secrets and may have collaborated with foreign intelligence agencies, particularly those from the Baltic states.
And remember how the schizos once loved to claim that the paranoid Stalin invented foreign spies and traitors?
Posted by: MiniMO | Oct 19 2025 1:42 utc | 218
For my part, Idlib was the catalyst for the now Islamic Head Chopper Caliphate Nation State we now see. For that, (Idlib) Russia is wholly responsible.No one else.
Posted by: Trubind1 | Oct 17 2025 16:47 utc | 202
I don’t know if it was naive of Putin to trust Erdogan on Idlib or a deliberate move when thousands of head choppers were allowed to leave Aleppo with their weapons and fester in Idlib where they were rearmed trained by the Turks then allowed to lauch attack on Damascus by driving miles down the main highway in Convoy of Toyota trucks armed with no more than machine guns and RPGs and take Damascus, the Russian air force could have destroyed that convoy but didn’t, that was down to Putin i would like to know why?
Posted by: Englishman | Oct 19 2025 10:15 utc | 219
Why?? Because of one Turkey/SA stronghold, that at that pivotal moment, called Idlib, in Syria, was Minsk 2-d away, resulting in the next 5 years of decay via sanctions & raids.
Posted by: Trubind1 | Oct 18 2025 0:59 utc | 208
I think this is a nice post. We can’t ever know all the behind-the-scenes details but it looks like VVP was trying to ride several horses with only one arse. Especially his Judeophilia limited his support for Assad. The damage to Russia from the collapse of Syria both in terms of military allies and international prestige is great and a repeat performance may be looming with Iran.
Posted by: TheNorthernChef | Oct 19 2025 10:32 utc | 220
Oil surplus may get enormous.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_8yS6pIES8
Not good for Russia financially and may encourage obedience to US sanctions. Prices are dropping.
Reply to 218. You need to rethink your comments as they appear delusional. Big transformers are expensive and can take years to order and install. Ukraine has little left to attack Russia with and little or no money to protect or reinforce anything. It’s far more likely that the whole nation will lose its grid and drift towards primitive existence.
Posted by: Eighthman | Oct 19 2025 11:48 utc | 221
@Eightman I was just about to check the price of oil because I was curious so I listened to that video and even the people making this forecast dont believe it will happen, sounds like people just filling up airtime with babble. You know why I think that, Saudi Arabia has said it needs oil to be $60/ barrel and would prefer it to be $100/barrel.
Posted by: Whistlen | Oct 19 2025 21:34 utc | 222
Total fuckery in the oil world right now.
Cayhan open, Iraq meets Kallis on boost to export, look to Venezuala and Columbia president states last week support for Kurd oil development.
Trump combative.
Lots of exploration (10 yr history) off Argentina (Rock Hopper Sea Lion) Israel big fields.
Trump bails Argentina?
Israel has 65% on Rock Hopper (Sea Lion field exp)
Trump Argentina
Venezuala
Drill baby drill.
Meh
Posted by: Orson Cart | Oct 22 2025 1:31 utc | 223
The auto formatting thing that eats commas and letters can really fuck you thing up
Posted by: Orson Cart | Oct 22 2025 1:33 utc | 224
Basically,
Don’t pull pootube or any other nonsense regarding the oil market quotes, and pontificate on the global market.
Trust me, chuck a quid in, on the market, buy a Porsche and then lose your house.. eh?
A friend
Posted by: Orson Cart | Oct 22 2025 1:42 utc | 225